Xinghua, a county-level city in Jiangsu province, recently dazzled audiences with an immersive Huaiju Opera livestream at the Shi Nai'an Cultural Park, themed around the classic Water Margin tales.
The event, which blended traditional Huaiju Opera with the legendary stories of heroes such as Lin Chong and Li Kui from Water Margin, attracted nearly 150,000 interactive likes, marking a successful fusion of digital media and cultural tourism.
Actors from the Xinghua Huaiju Opera Troupe delivered captivating performances, drawing viewers into the charm of Huaiju Opera and the water town's allure. The livestream has visited 15 local attractions since November last year, amassing over 400,000 views and 1.52 million likes.
Huaiju Opera actors deliver captivating performances on the legendary stories of heroes from Water Margin. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]
Led by the troupe's post-00s talent, the livestream initiative has broadened Huaiju Opera's audience from local enthusiasts to nationwide viewers, with single sessions drawing over 50,000 viewers. This innovative approach not only promotes Huaiju Opera but also boosts tourism, encouraging virtual fans to visit Xinghua.
Xinghua, a historic city known for being home to Water Margin author Shi Nai'an (1296-1370) and Zheng Banqiao (1693-1765), a renowned artist and poet in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), uses new media to breathe new life into its traditional arts. Upcoming livestreams will feature immersive performances at Xinghua Museum and other landmarks, further energizing the city's cultural tourism scene.