'Shan Bangzi is a project of the district-level intangible cultural heritage in Fangshan District. Luzishui Village is located in Puwa Town, which is known as Beijing's Little Tibet, Fangshan District, Beijing. Because of its location deep in the mountains, this village has not had much contact with the outside world, thus developing rich folk culture over the past six hundred years. Shan Bangzi is a unique genre of opera in this small village of less than a thousand people. Shan Bangzi has more than 120 repertoires, with a high-pitched and powerful singing style, beautiful melodies, clear rhythms, and a history of more than 300 years. It is a local opera very popular among the public.

Bangzi originated in Shaanxi Province. Shaanxi belonged to the Qin State in ancient times, so Bangzi was also called Qinqiang. The generous and heroic folk custom of the ancient Qin State bred the inspiring and passionate style of Qinqiang which could express impassioned and indignant emotions. In the Ming Dynasty, following the pace of immigrants from Shanxi and Shaanxi, Bangzi was introduced to Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, thus forming Hebei Bangzi, commonly called "Shan Bangzi" by the country people. (In this context, "Shan" means "local".) Unlike other genres of opera, Shan Bangzi pursues more local characteristics. The Shan Bangzi troupe was once called Wei's troupe, with a glorious history of more than 300 years. In the middle of the Qing Dynasty, the troupe had a maximum of more than 40 people. During the farm slack season, they would learn and play Bangzi. In the late Qing Dynasty, it was given the name "Tiancheng Troupe" by Emperor Qianlong.

The Shan Bangzi troupe was also called Wei's troupe because it once belonged to the Wei family. In those days, Wei's troupe performed the best Shan Bangzi. Wherever they went, there were a lot of fans who came to watch the performances. Once Wei's troupe performed all the way from the villages to the city, and Emperor Qianlong was impressed when he happened to hear about it. He was surprised that such an excellent opera was from a small village. He thought that it was simply God who made it have such an achievement, so he gave Wei's troupe the name "Tiancheng Troupe." (Here, "Tian" refers to "God", and "Cheng" refers to "achievement".) Because of the wars in modern times, Shan Bangzi fell into a period of silence, but the old people never forget it. With the increased protection of cultural heritage in China in recent years, this village's unique opera, Shan Bangzi, was also on the road to revival. The old people who can play Shan Bangzi began to gather and set out to revive it.

(Note: Content source is from Fangshan District Bureau of Culture and Tourism.)