The festive stage at Huanglongdong (Yellow Dragon Cave)’s Yuanyuan Folk Custom Park was packed to the rafters the other day, with not a single seat to spare. The reason? A special showcase of Hangzhou opera, staged as part of the “West Lake Spring Arts Festival” — and the only full Hangzhou-opera programme in this year’s line-up.

Titled “A Reed to the Hangzhou Melody,” the performance was a love letter to the city’s own operatic tradition, its tunes drifting through the early-summer air like a gentle breeze. The seasoned cast from the Huanglong Yue (Hang) Opera Troupe brought three beloved classics to life: Legend of the White Snake (a section called Encounter on the Broken Bridge), Recognizing the Son, and Leaving the Monastery Together. On stage, the actors were in full command — emotionally charged, physically expressive, and beautifully nuanced as they navigated tales of romance, filial duty, loyalty, and personal awakening. Off stage, the audience was equally absorbed. Among the crowd were invited critics, hardcore opera buffs who knew every aria by heart, and quite a few passers-by who wandered in out of curiosity, only to find themselves glued to the spot, phones raised to capture the fleeting magic of live theatre. When the final curtain came down, the applause lingered — and so did the audience, reluctant to let the spell break.

The festive stage at the park is one of its biggest draws, and for good reason. It puts on free public performances year-round, rotating between Yue opera, Hangzhou opera, and Jiangnan sizhu (silk-and-bamboo instrumental music) — three forms of intangible cultural heritage that keep the local traditions alive and kicking, right by the shores of West Lake. Missed this particular show? No worries. The stage keeps its regular schedule of free performances throughout the year. So whether you’re a curious traveller or a seasoned theatregoer, stop by for a stroll in the park, catch a show, and soak up the authentic charm of Hangzhou’s living heritage.