Executing General Shan is known for its intense and magnificent style, fully demonstrating the artistic feature of Qinqiang Opera.

While the charm of Xi'an usually originates from the grand ancient buildings and its time-honored history, the city has much more. Qinqiang, a local opera prevailing in Northwest China, represents the artistic height of the city's attraction. Listening to as well as singing Qinqiang has become an important part of many in the city. In the form of Zile Ban, Qinqiang has been exerting its influence among the people, hence maintaining its vitality.

Zile Ban, literally meaning self-entertaining class, usually consists of semi-professional performers who were formerly amateur. No stage and lighting are required. With only a few simple musical instruments, the performers stage the sorrows and joys of life almost anywhere. Walking along the City Wall, one could easily find a number of Zile Bans. With the sky as the curtain and earth as the stage, Zile Ban is completely free in nature. Both the performers and the spectators are very engaged into the program.

The amateur performers, who gather mainly in the form of Zile Ban, can be frequently found under the ancient City Wall. They may come from distinctively different walks of life, but yet share the same artistic hobby. They are also all good at singing, or playing accompanying musical instruments. Despite their amateur status, many of the participants are actually versatile.

Farmer's Painting of Zile Ban

The reason why Xi'an people love Qinqiang not only lies in the antiqueness of the art form as a cultural relic. It's also because the snarling and screaming style best echoes the desires and feelings of their souls.

The form of Zile Ban has greatly enhanced the dissemination and popularity of Qinqiang Opera, which has become an indispensable part in the cultural scene of Xi'an. Most of the local people can sing some lines of the opera, and almost every village has its own Zile Ban. During major festivals like the Spring Festival , the villagers indulge themselves to satisfy their addiction to the opera art form.

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