In Kunshan, there is a Kunqu Opera Museum where you can experience the charm of intangible cultural heritage

Over 600 years ago in the Ming Dynasty, there were no televisions, no radios, and certainly no mobile phones. The most popular leisure activity at that time was probably listening to opera. Originating from the Kunshan area of Suzhou, Kunqu Opera was highly sought after by people at the time. The grandeur of performances by famous artists was probably no less than that of today's star concerts. In the Kunqu Opera Museum in Tinglin Park, Kunshan City, the past glory of Kunqu Opera is vividly displayed. Originally named Kunshan Tune, Kunqu Opera is the oldest existing form of opera in China and one of the three ancient sources of drama in the world. Named as a museum, it is actually a garden courtyard with pink walls and black tiles, full of Jiangnan charm. Each exhibition hall provides a detailed introduction to the past and present of Kunqu Opera. The courtyard architecture is simple and elegant, with lush vegetation. Sculptures of famous Kunqu Opera segments such as 'Fifteen Strings of Cash' and 'Washing Creek Sand' are scattered in the garden, and the reenactment of classic scenes always brings a knowing smile to those familiar with and fond of opera. 'Ten Years Without Leaving the Building' tells the story of two opera artists, Wei Liangfu and Zhang Yetang, who played important roles in the birth of Kunqu Opera. It is said that the two once studied music together and became inseparable friends. Wei Liangfu even married his daughter to Zhang Yetang. The two 'did not leave the building for ten years', absorbed elements of Northern Tune, and reformed it according to the characteristics of Wu dialect. They spent ten years integrating a delicate, slow and gentle singing method, the 'Water Mill Tune', which is Kunqu Opera. Gu Jian, Wei Liangfu, Liang Chenyu, Tang Xianzu... The exhibition hall provides a detailed introduction to the masters of Kunqu Opera, as well as performances of classic Kunqu Opera segments such as 'The Washing Yarn Record', 'The Peony Pavilion', 'The Peach Blossom Fan', 'The Palace of Eternal Life', which immerse people unconsciously. Unlike ordinary exhibition halls, there are also Kunqu Opera performances in the museum. On the traditional ancient opera stage, the white powder walls and black tile rooms are always filled with the lingering and melodious Water Mill Tune. The love for Kunqu Opera by people in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions in the past can be described as 'songs heard everywhere', which is not an exaggeration. Just like today's people cheering for singers, people 600 years ago would also 'go crazy' for their favorite Kunqu Opera stars.