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Shaoxing lianhualao [Photo provided to enshaoxing.com]

Shaoxing lianhualao is a traditional form of folk art that appeared in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, in the mid-Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

At first, the art was performed by singing sets of words meaning good fortune or good luck. Gradually, it became an entertaining story-telling art. Most of the stories in Shaoxing lianhualao are based on daily life or folklore, which is characterized by humor, exaggeration and sarcasm.

Shaoxing lianhualao artists are often transferred from other industries due to their personal interests, and there is no strict relationship between teachers and successors. At present, protecting and developing Shaoxing lianhualao have become difficult tasks.

Shaoxing lianhualao was listed in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006.