Patterns of Tujia ethnic brocade usually tell the daily life of the minority group. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Duan Xuelian]

Local opera

The current condition of local opera in Phoenix is not as optimistic. Local farmers play Yang opera to welcome the Spring season. Sung in the local language, the opera mainly tells ancient folklore. Today, only old people can understand and perform Yang opera, says Cheng Qigui, who works at the local culture station.

Nuotang opera, another local opera style, is usually played to repel ghosts and bad luck. It faces the same dilemma - although booming tourism in Phoenix has popularized local opera to an extent, a formal learning institution that provides access to the art is urgently needed, Cheng says.

Because the performers of Yang and Nuotang operas are all elderly, the art form will probably be lost forever if the local government does not do something to protect it, Cheng says.