Huiju Opera enjoys a history of more than 300 years and is one of the most ancient operas in China. The opera first appeared in Anqing, Shipai, Congyang and Tongcheng in Anhui Province, and was based on the artistic foundation of Qingyang and Kunshan arias. The art form was gradually founded by assimilating the essence of various operas at the end of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Huiju has played a significant role in the course of the development of Chinese operas, which carried on the past and opened a new way for the future. It is not only a predecessor of the famous Peking Opera, which is known as the national opera. Huiju has also had a historical connection with other 40 local operas both in the southern and northern part of China, with an influence reaching all over the country.

In the Kangxi Reign of the Qing Dynasty, Huiju Opera stirred a fashion all over the country with its exquisite skills. In some economic centers of Southern China, rich businessmen even boasted their own private Huiju Opera troupes and stages. In the midst of the Qianlong Reign of the Qing Dynasty, Huiju Opera began to gain popularity in a number of other places, including provinces like Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Yunnan, Guizhou, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Hunan. In 1790, Gao Langting, the master Dan player (female character in Chinese operas), led the Sanqing Huiju Opera Troupe to Beijing to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Emperor Qianlong. Some other Huiju troupes also performed in Beijing successively. During the Jiaqing Reign, the "Four Great Huiju Operas Troupes" -- namely, Sanqing, Sixi, Hechun and Chuntai -- have been very influential in Beijing.

In the Daoguang Reign, Cheng Changgeng, known as the leader of Huiju Opera as well as the founder of Peking Opera, embraced and incorporated the advantages of various art forms, and introduced the Erhuang aria from Anqing, Anhui Province, which caused a sensation in Beijing. After blending and localization for about 50 years, the great Peking Opera was born.

The stage art of Huiju Opera is rich and varied. The costumes are simple and of good taste. Huiju experienced highs and lows in its history, but its abundant heritage and distinct national features allowed for its enduring artistic vitality. After the founding of Huiju Opera Troupe of Anhui Province in 1956, three generations of Huiju opera artists inherited, developed, created and innovated the opera to revive this time-honored tradition with support from the State.