By Qi Chenjiong

During the 2025 Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, the ancient county of Xunxian in Hebi city, central China's Henan Province came alive with the vibrant sounds of a local traditional opera named Dapingdiao opera.

Taking advantage of its role as host for the 17th Zhongyuan (Hebi) Folk Culture Festival, Xunxian county staged multiple performances, allowing visitors to fully experience the unique charm of its local opera culture.

The captivating performances of Dapingdiao opera drew continuous applause from the audience.

Han Xuerong, the sixth-generation inheritor of Xunxian county's Dapingdiao opera, told Global Times Online that the opera, known for its unique music and singing style, is a traditional Henan opera genre and has been recognized as China's national intangible cultural heritage.

Xunxian county is a key area for the preservation and inheritance of the western school of Dapingdiao opera, she said.

As a national historical and cultural city and a hub of Chinese folk culture and art, Xunxian county is a treasure trove of intangible cultural heritage.

The western school of Dapingdiao opera, after centuries of inheritance and development，has preserved its original features from different periods and emerged as a shining example of national and folk culture.

Dapingdiao opera is characterized by its bold, unpretentious performance style, which is direct and genuine, according to artists of the art form.

They told Global Times Online that each role in Dapingdiao opera follows a distinct set of movements, with postures, costumes, and makeup designs resembling those of characters in the traditional folk celebration of Shehuo, lantern paintings, and temple murals, creating a grand and impressive spectacle.

Traditional martial arts scenes in Dapingdiao opera, which often involve real weapons, serve as the best showcase for the dazzling spectacle of Dapingdiao opera performances, artists noted.

Every gesture and every note in Dapingdiao opera performances reflect performers' skill and dedication, according to Dapingdiao opera performer Wang Guizhen.

"I joined the troupe when I was 15 or 16, and now, at 60, I've been singing for 40 years," Wang told Global Times Online.

Dapingdiao opera performers, with their exceptional acting skills, have showcased the unique charm of Xunxian's Dapingdiao opera, contributing to the preservation and promotion of this folk art form.

During holidays like the Spring Festival, tourists and locals alike are attracted to Dapingdiao opera performances in Xunxian, marveling at the beauty of this traditional art form as they gain a better understanding of it.