Xian Travel Guide
• Xian Tours (4 Tours)
• Xian Flights
• Xian Hotels
• Xian Maps
• Xian Transport
• Xian Weather
• Things to do in Xian
• Xian Food
• Xian Shopping
• Xian Entertainment
See Also
• Beijing Product
• Shanghai Product
• Xian Product
• Guilin Product

 

Shadow Puppet, Xian

Shadow show also named as Light Shadow Show is one of the Chinese traditional dramas, regarded as "forefather of film". According to historical record shadow show appeared during the Han Dynasty (200BC), peaked in Sui, Tang and Song Dynasty and introduced to the west in the 13th century.  During the Song Dynasty, actors gave vivid plays adapted from historical stories through this kind of show.  What's more, there also had shadow show parties, such as "Huige Party" in Hangzhou during South Song period. Shanxi is the cradle of shadow show which was especially prevailed in the middle of Shanxi such as Sian. 

The original shadow puppet was made of wooden but nowadays leather is used to replace wood in shadow puppet making. Shadow puppets are available at certain art shops in Xian to purchase.