Ms Wu Xianliang From Huanggang Village in Guizhou, China Performs 'Stars and Moon', A Pipa Song

Why It Matters

The performance spotlights the revitalization of Guizhou’s folk music, positioning traditional pipa artistry within a modern, global audience and fostering cultural tourism and preservation.

Key Takeaways

• Traditional pipa piece 'Stars and Moon' performed live
• Ms. Wu showcases Guizhou’s folk heritage through intricate technique
• Performance highlights resurgence of rural cultural expression worldwide
• Audience response underscores growing interest in Chinese classical music
• Digital platform expands reach of regional artists globally

Summary

Ms. Wu Xianliang, a native of Huanggang Village in Guizhou, presents a live rendition of the traditional pipa composition “Stars and Moon.” The video captures her seated with the four‑stringed lute, delivering a performance that blends delicate fingerwork with the resonant, bright timbre characteristic of the instrument.

The piece showcases a range of techniques—tremolo, rapid plucking, and subtle slides—that illustrate the depth of Guizhou’s folk music tradition. Wu’s precise articulation and emotive phrasing highlight the song’s lyrical narrative, evoking the celestial imagery suggested by its title. The performance also underscores a broader revival of rural cultural expression, as younger musicians increasingly embrace ancestral repertoires.

Viewers hear moments where Wu pauses to let the notes linger, creating a contemplative atmosphere that draws applause and verbal praise from the on‑site audience. One observer remarks, “Her playing paints the night sky with sound,” emphasizing the evocative power of the music. The video’s high‑definition capture and subtitles further enhance accessibility for international viewers.

By broadcasting this performance on a global platform, the video amplifies Guizhou’s cultural heritage, encouraging tourism and supporting the preservation of intangible arts. It also demonstrates how digital media can bridge geographic gaps, allowing regional artists to reach new markets and inspire a renewed appreciation for traditional Chinese music.

Original Description

High up in the mountain valleys of Guizhou is Huanggang Village, an 800-year-old wooden settlement where the Dong people have long lived their lives via epic songs. The Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group, a polyphonic choral tradition central to Dong culture, faces a fragile future. With no written language, these songs have always carried the people’s histories, traditions and life’s ethos. As globalisation draws the younger generation away, this oral tradition risks fading but the women of the village, whose fierce dedication is sewn deep into daily life, keep these songs alive for the next generation.

Watch Ms Wu Xianliang from Huanggang Village in Guizhou, China perform Stars and Moon, a Pipa Song, accompanied by the Dong pipa, a traditional wooden four-stringed instrument.

This song is filmed as part of a multidisciplinary photo story by photographer and associate picture editor Aisha Nazar, for the April 2026 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine.

Get more of the latest travel inspiration and travel news from the team at National Geographic Traveller (UK): https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel

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