The gala, co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, opened with a performance of the Jin Opera, The Leopard-Capturing Tale. Beyond traditional stagecraft, organizers are integrating modern technology, including an AI-generated micro-drama titled Meeting Liang Chenyu, which explores the roots of Kunqu Opera. Visitors in Zhouzhuang can explore the Flourishing Opera exhibition at the Kunshan Opera Museum, which showcases folk art masterpieces from the National Art Museum of China.
Chinese Opera Gala Spotlights Heritage in Zhouzhuang
Amid the historic canals of Zhouzhuang, the 2026 Chinese Opera Gala launched this week, bringing together 46 distinct opera genres. Running through November, the event features 57 excerpts and 10 full-length productions, blending ancient performance traditions with contemporary digital storytelling and immersive exhibits to engage a new generation of theatergoers.
Since its inception in 2018, the Kunshan-based festival has served as a national repository for living arts. Over seven previous editions, the event has featured all 348 opera genres recognized nationwide, alongside shadow puppetry and traditional marionette theater. With more than 214,000 in-person attendees recorded since the gala's debut, the current program aims to expand this reach through the See a Hundred Operas, Tour Jiangsu initiative. This effort links stage performances directly to regional tourism, connecting opera appreciation with local landmarks and community outreach projects across the province.
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