Suzhou Xuanmiao Temple Taoist Music

Suzhou Taoist Music, a National Intangible Cultural Heritage

Suzhou Xuanmiao Temple Taoist Music is a representative of Suzhou Taoist music, belonging to the Zhengyi School of Daoist music. It has a history dating back to the Western Jin Dynasty. It inherits the traditions of ancient music, incorporates elements of temple music, and is influenced by local music forms such as temple music, Jiangnan suona, Kunqu Opera, and Wu Songs. This has resulted in a unique style. Suzhou Xuanmiao Temple Taoist Music is an integrated art form that combines instrumental and vocal components throughout the performance of rituals and ceremonies.

On May 20, 2006, Suzhou Xuanmiao Temple Taoist Music was approved by the State Council of the People's Republic of China to be included in the first batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The project number is II-68.