The music of China consists of many distinct traditions, often specifically originating with one of the country's various ethnic groups. It is produced within and without the country, involving either people of Chinese origin, the use of traditional Chinese instruments, Chinese music theory, or the languages of China. It includes traditional classical forms and indigenous folk music, as well as recorded popular music and forms inspired by Western culture.
Lively musicians playing a bamboo flute and a plucked instrument, Chinese ceramic statues displayed at the Shanghai Museum, dating to the Eastern Han period (25–220 AD)
A 9,000 year-old bone flute from Henan
Ensemble of musicians, some playing the Guzheng and others play the Sheng, 2nd century BCE, Mawangdui tomb.
A set of bronze bells called bianzhong c. 5th century B.C. from Hubei
The Jiahu gǔdí are the oldest known musical instruments from China, dating back to around 6000 BCE. Gudi means "bone flute" in Chinese.
One of the gudi flutes discovered at Jiahu, on display at the Henan Museum
Image: 贾湖骨笛 竖
Image: Neolithic bone flute
Image: Neolithic bone flute, Peiligang Culture, Wuyang, Henan, 1987, earliest known musical instrument
