An old stage, especially for traditional opera performances, stands in Jinglou, a town in Zhangshu, administered by Yichun, a city in east China's Jiangxi Province. Tea-picking opera — a performance genre, developed from folk dances and songs, and which depicts people's daily lives — is often performed on that stage, in the evening, by a troupe organized by Bai Genbao's family. The Bais, including Bai Genbao's parents, wife and eldest daughter, have inherited and helped promote this performance art derived from tea gardens, for three generations.
Tea-picking opera, also known as Gannan tea-picking opera, refers to the traditional Chinese opera that originated on Mount Jiulong, in Anyuan, a county in Jiangxi Province. The art form has more than 300 years of history. It is popular in regions including southern Jiangxi, northern Guangdong Province (in south China) and western Fujian Province (in southeast China). In 2006, tea-picking opera was added to the list of China's national intangible cultural heritage. Last year, Bai Genbao's family was named a "Most Beautiful Family" by the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the All-China Women's Federation. The family was so recognized for its dedication to inheriting tea-picking opera, and for helping promote traditional Chinese cultural charms over three generations.
'Honor of the Past'
Bai Genbao, who was born in 1957, grew up in a folk artist's family. His father, Bai Chongxian, was a renowned, two-stringed instrument player. His mother, Tang Juzhen, was a graceful singer. By the time Bai Genbao was a boy, his parents had established the tea-picking opera troupe in Jinglou.
From his childhood memories, Bai Genbao recalls the performance stage as being nothing more than a roughly built venue — with old planks.
However, people from neighboring villages were attracted by his parents' performances. It was a great "honor of the past," and one Bai Genbao hoped to both protect and pass on to the next generation of his family.
In 1985, Bai Chongxian and his wife turned the troupe over to their son. "Opera is always the most important thing," Bai Genbao says, adding he learned that from his father. It became his aspiration, and he hopes his family will continue adhering to that aspiration for successive generations.
Most Reliable Supporter
Bai Genbao's wife, Bai Fengmei, has been his most reliable supporter since he took charge of the troupe. Bai Fengmei has accompanied him as he has inherited and promoted tea-picking opera.
Bai Fengmei, born in 1962, has a beautiful voice. She has enjoyed singing folk songs since she was a little girl. She joined the troupe when she was 18. She often rehearsed with Bai Genbao when they were young. Gradually, the couple fell in love. Bai Fengmei still remembers when her husband said to her, on their wedding night, "We will probably face a lot of difficulties in running our troupe." She replied, "Any bitterness will taste sweet, as long as I can perform with you on the stage."
Bai Fengmei is not only a singer, but also performs various backstage chores to ensure the troupe's orderly management. Throughout a year, the troupe travels nearly 300 days to perform in neighboring villages and towns.
If Bai Genbao and Bai Fengmei have a difference of opinion about the troupe's management, on-stage presentation, or other chores in their daily life, they will always try to understand each other and reach a compromise. Each wants to be the best companion for the other, whether on the stage, in life, or on their journey of pursuing their art-related dreams.
Based on their careful observations about life in China's countryside, the couple has created several tea-picking opera performances that feature the family's harmony or friendships within their community. The Bais have witnessed the increase in the country's support for traditional culture and arts in recent years. Stories about the troupe have been reported by Chinese media outlets.
New Vigor
Bai Genbao and Bai Fengmei have two daughters. The eldest, Bai Tingting, was raised by her parents while they were touring with the troupe. Bai Fengmei often carried Bai Tingting on her back when she was rehearsing. It no doubt was the "artistic nurturing," which she received from the time she was a baby, that led Bai Tingting to become an opera performer.
Sometimes, three generations of the Bai family can be seen at the same performance. For example, Bai Genbao sits on the stage, taking charge of the playing of the traditional instruments; Bai Fengmei and Bai Tingting perform their roles; and, Bai Chongxian sits in the audience, tapping his fingers as he follows the melody. Bai Chongxian is content as he witnesses his offspring inheriting tea-picking opera.
The Bais' lively performances help their audiences build closer emotional bonds with their own families and neighbors. Viewers, of all ages, are enchanted by the eye-catching performance style. Youngsters, who work in other places, return to their hometowns to see the troupe's performances, so they can recall the once-familiar art they watched during their childhood.
The troupe has enrolled many young members, who were born in rural areas, and who hope to learn the performance art.
The troupe is like a big, warm family, which shoulders its social responsibilities by promoting moral virtues and cultural charms through the art of tea-picking opera.
Photos from Zhangshu Women's Federation and Interviewees
(Women of China English Monthly January 2026)
Editor: Wang Shasha
