Discover Fujian: Quanzhou puppet show

In southeastern China's Fujian province, puppeteers have been performing with wooden puppets for centuries. These performances bring tiny carved figures to life, telling stories from history, local legends, and everyday life with remarkable skill and charm.

The secret to the puppets' facial expressions lies in the exquisite craft of puppet head carving. Artisans carefully hollow out the eyes and mouth to allow movement, then assemble the pieces with precision. Thanks to the dedication of local masters such as Jiang Jiazou and his descendants, the variety of puppet characters has expanded dramatically, from just over 50 in the early 20th century to nearly 500 today.