Intangible Cultural Heritage Hands-on Experience

Xi’an isn’t just a museum of ancient relics—it’s a living stage where thousand-year-old traditions still move, sing, and shine.
You can watch shadow puppetry, the ancient Chinese equivalent of cinema dating back over 2,000 years. You can hear the thunderous rhythm of Xi’an Drum Music—a powerful ensemble once called the “Ancient Chinese Symphony.” Or, try your hand at decorating a gourd—a hard-shelled fruit, a bit like a natural pumpkin bottle—by painting your own design onto its smooth surface.
These aren’t just sights to see—they’re stories you can touch, hear, and create for yourself. Ready to dive into Xi’an’s cultural heartbeat? Let’s begin.

Xi’an Shadow Puppetry

Chinese shadow puppetry is a millennia‑old storytelling art that uses intricately carved, translucent leather figures to cast moving silhouettes against a backlit screen. Originating in the Han capital of Chang’an (modern‑day Xi’an) over 2,000 years ago, the craft weaves together folk legends, classical opera arias and regional dialects, all accompanied by live percussion and flute music.

 

The vibrant colors, delicate carving and rhythmic rhythms create a hypnotic blend of visual poetry and oral tradition—an experience that transports visitors to Imperial‑era China and showcases the ingenuity of pre‑cinematic “special effects”

Where to experience

  • Xi’an Ming & Qing Shadow Puppet Art Museum (East section of Zhenguan North Street): Galleries of antique puppets, plus daily performances and workshops where you can carve and manipulate your own figure
 
  • Gao Family Courtyard, Beiyuanmen Street (Muslim Quarter): Evening shows in a restored Ming‑era courtyard, complete with live music and storytellers.

Xi’an Ancient Drum Music | Xi’an Guyue

Xi’an Ancient Drum Music is one of the oldest surviving forms of traditional Chinese instrumental ensemble music, dating back over a thousand years to the Tang and Song dynasties. Often called “the living fossil of Chinese ritual music” ,it combines wind, percussion, and string instruments to produce a rich, ceremonial sound used historically in Confucian rituals, royal processions, and temple ceremonies.

Where to Experience It

  • Xi’an Guyue Preservation Center (Muslim Quarter area) – Offers scheduled performances by the “Tangyue Ancient Music Ensemble,” recognized as national-level ICH bearers.

 

  • Xi’an City God Temple (Chenghuang Temple) – Watch live Guyue played during traditional temple rituals or on cultural holidays.

“Xi’an Qianguqing” (Eternal Love of Xi’an) Performance

“Xi’an Qianguqing” is a large‑scale outdoor song‑and‑dance spectacular that dramatizes the romance between a Chinese‑American visitor and her ancestral homeland. 

Through sweeping choreography, elaborate Tang‑dynasty costumes and immersive stagecraft—including 3,000 tons of water, fog effects and a “Time‑Travel Street” that bridges past and present—the show recreates pivotal moments from the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang dynasties. It’s not merely a performance, but an epic journey through Xi’an’s 3,000‑year cultural tapestry.

Where to experience

Qianguqing Theatre No. 3, Xi’an Expo Park (Baqiao District, World Expo Avenue): Two nightly shows; book tickets in advance through Trip.com or at on‑site kiosks

Gourd Art

Gourd art in Xi’an transforms humble dried gourds into intricate pieces of art through techniques like pyrography (burning designs), carving, painting, and inlaying. Traditionally used to store medicine or wine, gourds symbolize good fortune, health, and longevity in Chinese culture.

Today, they’re crafted into calligraphy scrolls, zodiac figures, and even miniature landscapes.

As one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization, Xi’an is home to a remarkable range of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) traditions. In addition to the examples above, the city also preserves time-honored crafts and performing arts such as:

 

  • Qinqiang (qín qiāng) – the oldest form of Chinese opera, known for its bold vocals and dramatic storytelling.

  • Rubbing (tà yìn) – a traditional printing method that transfers stone inscriptions onto paper, capturing ancient texts and carvings.

  • Tang-style Architecture Craftsmanship (táng gōng gǔ jiàn) – the delicate art of constructing and restoring buildings in the grand style of the Tang Dynasty.

  • Paper Cutting (jiǎn zhǐ) – intricate designs cut from red paper, often used to decorate homes during festivals and celebrations.

  • Clay Figurine Art (cǎi sù) – hand-molded, vividly painted clay sculptures that bring folk tales and deities to life.

  • Wicker Weaving (téng biān) – the craft of weaving bamboo or rattan into baskets, furniture, and ornaments, blending utility with artistry.

Each of these traditions carries hundreds—even thousands—of years of history. They are living snapshots of Chinese culture, passed down from generation to generation.

 

If you’re curious to learn more—or ready to try them for yourself—get in touch with us anytime. An unforgettable journey into Xi’an’s cultural heritage awaits!