There are many kinds of operas in China. They are very important components of cultural heritage in China.

In the annual Chinese Spring Festival Gala hosted by CCTV, the Peking opera is a must-be component. The Peking Opera, which originated in the late 18th century, is a synthesis of music, dance, art and acrobatics. It is the most influential and representative of all operas in China. Peking Opera can be divided into "civil" pieces characterized by singing, and "martial" ones featuring acrobatics and stunts. Some operas are a combination of both. The operatic dialogues and monologues are recited in Beijing dialect, and some of the words are pronounced in a special fashion, unique to the opera.

A renowned local opera mainly prevalent in Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou and Hubei provinces in Southwestern China, Sichuan Opera is characterized by unique solos, refined acting, rich percussion, and talented comedians, whose skills are unparalleled in the world. The development of Sichuan Opera is intrinsically linked to the natural conditions in Sichuan.

Yue Opera is popular in the region south of the Yangtze River, and is especially popular in Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Jiangsu. It originated in Shengzhou County in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province in the early 20th century. It was named Yue Opera because it originated in part of the Yue State (Zhejiang) in the Spring and Autumn Period about 2,000 years ago.

Also dubbed Luantan, Qinqiang Opera is a local Chinese opera that mainly thrives in north China's Shaanxi Province, as well as its neighboring regions in Northwest China, like Gansu andQinghai provinces and the Ningxia Hui andXinjiangUygur autonomous regions. It boasts the most ancient, affluent, and largest musical system of all Chinese operas.