Yungang shadow puppet museum is located in Yungang Grottoes scenic area 20 next to Lotus Avenue. It is a historical and Cultural Heritage Museum named by Geng Yanbo, mayor of Datong City, as the key protection and construction of Yungang scenic area. Represented by Xiaoyi shadow play and puppet show, the museum has won gold prizes at National Agricultural expositions several times and won strong support and recognition from the mayor of Datong City.

The puppet museum is divided into four parts: puppet show area, puppet carving area and its exhibition area, puppet props Exhibition Area and free tea rest area. The biggest feature of visiting here is: free tasting of Xiaoyi's most distinctive health tea persimmon leaf tea, watching puppet show with folk art characteristics, immersing in the original Millennium traditional culture. You are also fortunate to see the shadow puppet show, the two old folk cultural heritage artists. The oldest of them are both 80 years old, and they also perform the directing work on the stage in person. You can be deeply moved by their dedication and dedication to the inheritance and protection of folk culture.

Xiaoyi shadow play is an important branch of shadow play in China, which is popular in Xiaoyi city of Shanxi Province. According to expert research, Xiaoyi shadow play originated in the Warring States period and is one of the earliest birthplaces of shadow play in China. Shadow play is a dramatic form that allows the audience to watch a kind of light shadow performed by a plane filmmaker through a white curtain to achieve artistic effect. It can be said that "the real person is charming by the shadow of the dummy, and the dummy is lyrical by the singing of the real person". In shadow play performance, plane actors, props and scenery are usually leather products made by folk artists using top-grade cowhide and hand, knife carving and color painting. Xiaoyi shadow puppet is rough, simple and exaggerated, powerful lines, and full of charm, which can be called the unique skill of the year before last to accommodate Baichuan. Piqiang is the melody of shadow play. Because the main accompaniment instrument of piqiang music is suona, it is called "Xiaoyi tune", which is also one of the earliest folk tunes in China. Therefore, it can be said that shadow play art is a comprehensive art, integrating sculpture, painting, opera and music. As long as one of them is missing, no matter the musicians, performers or sculptors, they will be paralyzed.

Under the impact of modernization, this kind of art inheriting thousands of years has become particularly vulnerable, with fewer and fewer inheritors. The state also attaches great importance to the protection of intangible cultural heritage. On May 20, 2006, Xiaoyi shadow play was listed in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list with the approval of the State Council.

Performance time of shadow puppet Museum: from April 1 to November 3 every year

(the tour guide can bring the group in at any time when the scenic area is open)

Ticket price: 20 yuan per person.

China is a big country of shadow play. There are shadow puppets in all parts of China, North and South provinces. Shadow play has a long history, which began in the Han Dynasty, flourished in the Tang Dynasty, flourished in the song and Yuan Dynasties, and originated in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In the long-term development, due to the different customs and cultures in different places, the style of shadow play varies with different regions. Shadow play belongs to the art of drama, but it is different from the general drama. It is not performed by people, but by means of the artistic image carved out, set up the stage, set up the tent, cast the light as the shadow, take the shadow as the shape, and sing with the shape. It is a comprehensive art of sculpture, painting, opera and music. In this way, local music, folk songs, singing, drama, sculpture, paper cutting and other artistic factors are deeply integrated. It has become a collection of local folk culture. This is with unique and strong characteristics of all over the world, loved by people. In the vast countryside in ancient times, this kind of thing with light, shadow, singing and performance was a local cultural way of self entertainment. It can be called the "color TV" of the common people, which once gave people endless cultural enjoyment.

Shanxi is the hinterland of China, and Xiaoyi is the hinterland of the three Jin Dynasties. The civilization on the earth is deeply hidden in it. Through years and years, all kinds of artistic spirits have been nurtured. Xiaoyi shadow play is a dazzling one.