Suona, also known as a horn or "haidi", was first used during the Jin dynasty (265-420) in Xinjiang. The shape of this primitive kind of suona is similar to the wooden suona used by today's Uygur people. In the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), the structure of the suona used in the Central Plains was similar to the modern one. Since the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), suona is widely used in concerts, as musical accompaniment and important occasions as weddings and funerals.

Suona is a reed instrument with a conical metal bell. It has a nasal penetrating sound with various sizes.

Suona is often the instrument that sets the beat or is played in accompaniment with gong and drum. It is suitable for expressing cheerful and enthusiastic emotions.