Suzhou Pingtan

Pingtan (Chinese: 评弹), also known as Suzhou Pingtan, is a regional variant of quyi and a popular musical/oral performance art form in the Jiangnan region of China, encompassing southern Jiangsu, northern Zhejiang, and Shanghai. Originating from Suzhou, it is a blend of the Chinese narrative musical traditions of pinghua and tanci, with roots tracing back to the Song dynasty and influences from Wuyue culture.

This art form, shaped by Pingtan artists, has garnered immense popularity in Jiangnan. Its long history has provided a solid foundation for development. Despite its simplicty in form, Pingtan's content is rich, incorporating techniques like storytelling, joke cracking, music playing and aria singing. Its artistic features include "reasoning, tastes, unexpectedness, interest and minuteness". Although it began in Suzhou, Pingtan experienced significant growth in Shanghai during the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, spurred by the development of commerce and culture. Since then, Pingtan has evolved into a new form of performance, continuously innovating while preserving its traditional essence.