Sichuan Opera can be traced back to the “Bayu Song and Dance” in the pre-Qin times, the “Bullfighting” and “Acrobatics” in the Qin and Han Dynasties, “Shu Opera” in the Tang Dynasty, “Zaju” in the Song Dynasty, “Chuan Opera” in the Ming Dynasty up to the Qing Dynasty. Then Chinese local opera prospered, the Kunqiang, Gaoqiang, Huqing Voice, Tanxi and Dengxi flourished for roughly 200 years, later in the early 20th century, all these styles of opera were performed in the Sanqing Theater and referred to as “Sichuan Opera”. During the long-lasting performance, Sichuan Opera has formed four styles: Western Sichuan Style featuring Huqing Voice, Gaoqiang-focused Ziyang River Style, Tanxi-focused Northern Sichuan River Style, Northeastern Chongqing Style (mainly in Chongqing) featuring multiple operatic tunes. The Sichuan Opera in Chongqing enjoys a long history, multiple blended operatic tunes, rich variety, exquisite skill, varied styles, excellent inheritors and wide audience.
In May 2006, the State Council of the P.R.C. approved listing Sichuan Opera (Chongqing) among the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage.
National-level representative inheritors: Chen Anye, Xia Tingguang, Shen Tiemei, Gao Fenglian, Zhou Jipei, Xu Qianyun
Municipal-level representative inheritors: Yu Guobing, Li Kuiguang, Xu Minggui, Wang Deyun, Liu Shude, Luo Jilong, Song Tianwei, Xu Yongming, Yang Caisheng, Dai Caiping, Xie Zhengxin, Yin Yougui, Xiong Pingan, Zhang Jianping, Wu Zijian, Huang Ronghua