Suzhou Museum of Opera and Theatre

The Suzhou Museum of Opera and Theatre is housed in a historic guild hall and displays a collection of instruments, costumes, and historical documents related to Chinese stage arts. The exhibition rooms present different aspects of this art form across multiple levels of the building.

The building was originally a guild hall constructed in 1765 during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty. It was later converted to preserve and share this significant cultural art form with the public.

The museum presents traditional performances on a classical stage with an arched roof designed for superior sound quality. Visitors can see how this art form remains alive in Suzhou and discover the instruments used in these shows.

The museum is located in an easily accessible area with landmarks nearby and offers a manageable exhibition that visitors can explore in one visit. It helps to arrive early in the day to experience the best light and viewing conditions.

The Tower for Music Makers displays a collection of painted sculptures representing traditional music ensembles from different historical periods. This unusual presentation shows how these musical traditions were performed in earlier times.