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Move over, TikTok challenges – these teens in China’s Shanxi Province are mastering a 400-year-old art form instead! At a Gaoping City vocational school, students grind daily to perfect Shangdang Bangzi, a vibrant wooden clapper opera recognized as national cultural heritage.
More Than Just Drama Class
Imagine belting high-pitched tunes while nailing acrobatic moves – all to the rhythm of wooden clappers. One student admits: ‘We practice basic routines for hours. It’s like training for a marathon, but with costumes!’
Why This Matters
Listed as China’s intangible cultural heritage in 2006, Shangdang Bangzi mixes folk songs, martial arts, and storytelling. Think of it as the original musical theater – Hamilton-style drama, but with Qing Dynasty roots!
‘It’s not just about preserving history,’ says a local teacher. ‘We’re showing Gen Z how culture evolves – one clapper beat at a time.’
NewspaperAmigo – Your Global News Buddy 
At a Gaoping City vocational school, students grind daily to perfect Shangdang Bangzi, a vibrant wooden clapper opera recognized as national cultural heritage.
One student admits: ‘We practice basic routines for hours. It’s like training for a marathon, but with costumes!’
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