"Welcome to the Tiger Hill Kunqu Opera Gala!" On October 4, a grand garden party with a history of hundreds of years kicked off at Tiger Hill虎丘山風景名勝區(qū) in Suzhou. Over 10 international students at Soochow University, who hail from Poland, Hungary, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, and Egypt, among other countries, experienced the unique charm of the ancient opera festival.

Originating in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, the Tiger Hill Kunqu Opera Gala was once Suzhou's "top-tier music festival," drawing huge crowds. Historical records note that performing Kunqu opera at Tiger Hill during the Mid-Autumn Festival was one of the greatest cultural events in the area.

For many of the foreign students, this was their first time watching Kunqu opera. They were deeply immersed - sometimes filming, sometimes breaking into applause.

"I really enjoy the event. The live performance was spectacular! I think the whole act is so beautiful," said Oskar Szabelski from Poland.

A major highlight of this year's gala is the presence of NPCs (non-player characters) dressed up as historical or mythological figures, such as Xi Shi, Fan Li, the White Snake, the Green Snake, and the Princess Flower. With their "Tiger Hill Kunqu Opera Gala Pass" in hand, the students found the NPCs at the West Brook Surrounded by Verdure and completed challenges to unlock special gifts. Some received jasmine bracelets, while others had their faces painted by artists.

"I feel very fortunate to be able to meet the White Snake and the Green Snake. We had a little conversation with them and took a picture with them. It really made my day and made me feel so happy," said Minty, a student from Thailand.

The evolution of the Tiger Hill Kunqu Opera Gala is a vivid reflection of China's rich cultural heritage, helping young people fall in love with ancient Kunqu opera and allowing expats to discover and appreciate Chinese stories. The 2025 Tiger Hill Kunqu Opera Gala runs through tonight. Don't miss out on it!

By iSuzhou Reporter Wu Yingxian
Source：iSzhou