As a renowned local opera mainly prevailing in Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces, Sichuan Opera is characterized by unique solos, refined performance, percussion instrument and talented comedians. The development of Sichuan Opera is related with the agricultural production in Sichuan. The folk songs originally sung by the peasants, boatmen, tea plantation workers are gradually develop into the basic tune of the local operas.

Sichuan opera enjoys a time-honored history. As early as in Three Kingdom Period, there was ‘Canjun opera’. In Tang Dynasty, a band of five came into being in Chengdu. And In Song Dynasty, the opera developed into Tsa-chu. In Ming Dynasty, artist of Sichuan Opera performed the skill in Jinling (now Nanjing city). At the end of Qing Dynasty, Sichuan Opera was widely played from temple fairs, halls and yard to city theaters.

Sichuan Opera features vivid, humorous narration, singing and acrobatics. It also builds a system of stylized movements and its acting is both exquisite and lively. Sichuan Opera performances are always full of wit, humor, lively dialogues and pronounced local flavors. To portray special characters, the opera incorporates a series of stunts, including the famous‘face changing’. In Chinese opera, facial makeup is usually painted, but in Sichuan Opera, the performers can change their facial make-ups in the snap of finger right on stage.
Most Sichuan Opera repertoires are adapted from the Chinese classical novels, mythology, legends as well as folk tales. As the saying goes that, the Sichuan Opera has 3000 Tang stories, 800 Song tales and endless Three Kingdom anecdotes.

Sichuan Opera is famous for its high-pitched tunes, accompanied only by percussion instruments and choruses without wind or stringed instruments. In addition, this spectacular theatrical presentation features bright sets and costumes, plus a combination of music, dance and acrobatics. Among China's 300 existing local theater traditions, Sichuan Opera has thrived and developed throughout ages for its distinctive performance.