In a vibrant collision of eras, Tianjin-based folk artist Chu Qi Gui Zi is redefining China’s cultural landscape by blending the ancient sanxian – a three-stringed lute dating back to the Yuan Dynasty – with pulsating electronic beats. The 28-year-old inheritor of a regional intangible cultural heritage performance technique has amassed millions of followers by transforming street performances into viral sensations.
Chu’s journey began at 13 when she first mastered the sanxian, an instrument traditionally used in folk operas. Today, she crisscrosses the Chinese mainland from Genhe’s frosty forests to Shenzhen’s neon-lit streets, her Hanfu robes and sunglasses symbolizing the bridge between ancestral legacy and contemporary expression. "My sanxian doesn’t just play melodies – it tells stories that resonate across generations," she remarked during a recent Shanghai showcase.
This cultural alchemy comes as China sees growing interest in heritage preservation through modern mediums. Cultural analysts note Chu’s EDM-infused performances have increased youth engagement with traditional arts by 47% in coastal cities since 2022. For global investors, such trends signal opportunities in China’s $23.6 billion cultural creative industry, while diaspora communities celebrate accessible connections to their roots.
As night markets echo with the sanxian’s transformed twang, Chu’s next ambition mirrors her instrument’s evolution: "I want the world to hear China’s past through tomorrow’s sound."
