Kunqu Opera is one of the oldest extant forms of opera. Its rhythmic patterns have a dominant influence on other forms of opera in the country, including Sichuan and Beijing operas.

Kunqu has a complete system of acting and a distinctive, wide-ranging repertoire that features delicate and elegant tunes. The orchestra features the bamboo flute in a leading role as well as the xiao (a vertical bamboo flute), a mouth organ and a string instrument with a fretted fingerboard.

Representative works include The Peony Pavilion, Fifteen Strings of Coins, Love at First Sight, and Escorting Jingniang Home.

Kunqu has gone through several stages of change over the past hundreds of years. It was initially composed of long and short lines, with a singer singing solo and the orchestra coming in at the end of each line. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it became more mild, smooth and graceful, with performers attaching great importance to how clearly they recited and sang lines. The songs were written in seven-character or ten-character lines. This contrasts greatly from the opera's emphasis during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), when only percussions were used in the chorus. In the style that developed during the Ming Dynasty, more musical instruments, including stringed instruments, bamboo flutes, drums and clappers were used.

Known as the mother of all Chinese operas, Kunqu, also called Kunshanqiang, is named after its birthplace, Mount Kun shan, located near Suzhou, Jiangsu province.

UNESCO listed Kunqu Opera as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001, which aims to ensure that the best of each country's traditions is well preserved, developed and promoted throughout the world.

Chinese composer Chen Qigang said The Peony Pavilion has a spiritual dimension.

"I heard this tune for the first time when I was very young. I was highly impressed. Ever since, it reminds me of my childhood,” said Chen, the music director for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.