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Splendor and symbolism of Chinese opera headpieces

China 21:06, 12-Feb-2026

Chen Qingxuan

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Wu Opera, a time-honored art form from east China's Zhejiang Province, is brought to life by its iconic headdresses, the Kui Mao, also known as Kui Tou.

More than a costume piece, each Kui Mao conveys a character's gender, status and personality traits.

Built on a paper-carved frame and adorned with delicate kingfisher feathers and shimmering gold gilding, each detail reveals the character's identity.

Master craftsman Mei Lizhong shows a Wu Opera headpiece in his workshop at the Yiwu Wu Opera Heritage and Protection Center.

Master craftsman Mei Lizhong and his son make Wu Opera headpieces in the workshop at the Yiwu Wu Opera Heritage and Protection Center.

Master craftsman Mei Lizhong applies filigree powder on one piece of a Wu Opera headpiece.

For over 30 years, master craftsman Mei Lizhong has shaped these intricate headpieces. Now he works alongside his son to carry on this precious craft.

Their heritage story is the subject of CGTN's latest documentary, airing tomorrow (Friday, February 13).

The following images features a variety of Wu Opera headpieces, each serving as a distinctive visual marker of the characters' status and identity on the stage. All footage was shot in Yiwu City, east China's Zhejiang Province.

(All photos taken by CGTN's Ban Jinting and Zhang Xinyu.)