Dahua Story-telling House is the only professional theater in Hangzhou that focuses on pingtan, an artistic form of storytelling and ballad singing in the Suzhou dialect.

Founded in 1952 and officially opened to the public during the Spring Festival in 1954, the house saw its heydays in the early 1960s, with artists and celebrities from across China coming to watch and perform shows.

The theater has in recent years regained its popularity following renovations and the introduction of new performances including magic shows, talk shows, Yueju Opera shows, Chinese opera salons, and Southern Song Dynasty-style (1127-1279) parties.

Address: No 48 Qingnian Road, Shangcheng district, Hangzhou

Tel: +86-571-8683-9218

An artist performs at the Dahua Story-telling House in Hangzhou on Jan 28. [Photo/Hangzhou Dahua Story-telling House]