World ICH in China

　　The Chinese zither, called the Guqin, has existed for 3,000 years and represents China's foremost solo musical instrument tradition. Attested by early literary sources and corroborated by archaeological discoveries, this ancient instrument is inseparable from Chinese intellectual history, particularly during the Han dynasty. Guqin playing developed as an elite art form practiced by noblemen and scholars in intimate settings and was therefore never intended for public performance. Furthermore, the Guqin was one of the four arts - along with calligraphy, painting and an ancient form of chess - that Chinese scholars were expected to master. According to tradition, 20 years of training are required to attain proficiency. The art of Guqin combines a vast repertory of refined melodies and playing techniques, complex symbolic significance and unique methods of notation and oral transmission.  

Kunqu opera is one of the oldest forms of opera still existing in China, with its origins dating back to the Ming dynasty, which lasted from the 14th to 17th century.  It has distinguished itself by the virtuosity of its rhythmic patterns (changqiang) and has exerted a dominant influence on all the more recent forms of opera in China, the Sichuan, or Beijing opera. Its characteristic melody (kunqiang) and its dynamic structure, with its cast of a young male lead, a female lead, comic roles, and the role of the old man, have also been borrowed by the other forms of opera. Thus, "Peony Pavillion" or "The Hall of Longevity" have become classic repertory pieces. Kunqu combines song, recital, body movement and dance and plays a key role in the training of the Beijing Opera actors and singers. Kunqu is accompanied by string, wind and percussion instruments. There are two major types of dance movements and an endless variety of movements to express specific emotions.