Shadow Show , also called 'Shadow Play', is a performing art using light to cast the shadow of paper-cut or leather-cut figures on a white curtain. Its repertoire as well as its tunes are interrelated with local operas. The artisan operates the figures while singing.

Chinese Shadow Show has a history of about 1,000 years. It is said that in the Yuan Dynasty the art form even spread to West Asia and Europe. Under the influence of different regions, many types and styles of Shadow Show have appeared. The shadow shows in Tangshan area, Hebei Province, With their distinctive donkey-hide figures, and in Northwest China with cattle-hide figures enjoy special popularity. The donkey-hide shadow show with its exquisite craftsmanship, nimble and proficient operative skills and lyrical tunes has become a particularly comprehensive art.

Chinese puppet shows which originated in the Han Dynasty and flourished in the Tang and Song dynasties, have a history of over 1,000 years. The art form is categorised into four types, based on the shapes of the puppets and the operative skills: figure puppets, marionettes, stick puppetsand wire-supported puppets. Each has its own artistic characteristics. At present, puppet shows are usually accompanied by the tunes of local operas and some adopt the form of dialogue or singing and dancing. The finure puppets of Longxi county, marionettes of Quanzhou (both in Fujian Province), stick puppets of Hainan Province and the other puppet shows of Hunan and Shaanxi Provinces and the Beijing region are well-known for their wide range of repertoire, wonderful performance and beautiful music. Some puppet troupes have performed abroad many times and have been warmly welcomed by the audience.