Ciming Opera, the oldest opera genre in Pingtan, E China’s Fujian province, was popularized in the coastal areas of Fujian. According to word-of-mouth and written records, an official from Zhejiang and Jiangsu assumed office in Fujian and brought a theater troupe. To make the locals understand, he instructed artists to sing lines clearly and colloquially, hence it was called “Ciming (translated as “Pronounce Clearly” in English) Opera”. At present, Cangxialong Village in Pingtan is said to be the last stronghold of Ciming Opera.

Ciming Opera celebrated its "age of Renaissance" from the early to the middle of the Qing Dynasty (A. D. 1644 to 1911), enticing quite a number of followers. At its peak, opera members even rose from 20 people to 70 in a troupe. Early in the Republic of China, the industry went downhill. Performances were reduced and the outlook of the industry was bleak.To slash expenses, some roles resorted to puppets in stead of human performers. So far it has developed into three forms: puppet show, human acting, and glove puppet show.

Influenced by Peking Opera and Fujian Opera, Performing Ciming Opera is accompanied by percussion instruments. In addition to the flutes and suonas, there are also drums and gongs. The repertoire mainly covers the legends of Ming Dynasty and folk mythologies. The lively rhythms, vocal accompaniments, its skillful sentimental performances surely amaze audiences. 

Lai Min, an expert on Pingtan’s folk culture, said: "Ciming Opera is an indispensable part of the history of Fujian drama, seeping into Pingtan’s local culture and influencing the region’s folk music, theatre, and folk customs such as marriages and funerals.

Although inscribed on the Fuzhou Municipal Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2007, Ciming Opera was at the brink of becoming a dying art. Until 2018, Lin Wenyuan, the ninth-generation successor of Ciming Opera, returned to impart the art and resuscitate the cultural bloodline. 

Ciming Opera has been brought to Tannan Bay Scenic Area to allow tourists to experience the fun in an effort to relive tradition.

The local government of Pingtan has initiated the conservation of Ciming Opera, and recorded oral and performance recordings for research. In addition, relevant authorities promote the establishment of a research and inheritance center, and introduce the opera to campus grounds to attract young people to carry on the heritage.

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