Hantan Xiaoqu is a second batch of intangible cultural heritage projects announced by Hubei Province. It is commonly known as "Hantan Silk String" and "Waijiang Xiaoqu." It originated in Jingzhou. It is an ancient song type that spreads in cities and towns along the Yangtze River from Yichang to Jiujiang. It was very popular in the late Qing Dynasty, the early years of the Republic of China and the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Hantan Xiaoqu developed from folk songs that spread in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Before liberation, this type of song was a means of livelihood for wandering folk artists, especially blind artists. It is accompanied by stringed instruments, mainly Sihu. It is mainly sung while sitting. When singing, men and women work together, with female actors playing the cloud board and male actors playing the piano. It can be sung alone, in duets, or with many people around. There are many tunes, beautiful tunes, and strong expressiveness. Most of the songs are single-piece plays with complex plots. At the same time as Hantan Xiaoqu, there is also "Tianmian Xiaoqu" also known as "Neihe Xiaoqu" popular in Tianmen, Mianyang, Zhongxiang, Qianjiang and other places in the Han River Basin. It uses percussion as an accompaniment instrument, mainly standing and walking singing, and the repertoire is mostly lyrical short pieces with a single plot. The regions where these two kinds of Xiaoqu are popular belong to Jingzhou area in history. In the long-term singing activities, they exchanged and borrowed from each other, forming some tunes and repertoires that can be sung. The same artist may sing Hantan Xiaoqu or Tianmian Xiaoqu. In terms of accompaniment instruments and singing forms, they have maintained their own characteristics and formed some commonalities. In 1958, after the establishment of the Hubei Province Quyi Artists Association, these two kinds of Xiaoqu and some other Xiaoqu types were collectively referred to as "Hubei Xiaoqu". Hantan Xiaoqu is the most important type of "Hubei Xiaoqu" and has independent research value. It has a long history, is widely spread, has rich tunes, repertoires and many famous artists with orderly inheritance. During the more than 100 years of its spread, the sound of stringed instruments can be heard everywhere in teahouses, wine houses, halls, streets, weddings and funerals in Jingzhou, and it is deeply loved by the masses. In 1958, Hantan Xiaoqu artist Fu Fenglan went to Beijing to perform for national leaders. It is a precious cultural heritage of the Jingchu folk. Its provincial representative inheritor is Fu Fenglan. Information source: Jingzhou City Art Museum Information source: Jingzhou City Art Museum