Kun Opera (Kunqu, Kunqu Opera) is one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera. It originated from the Kunshan melody, and dominated Chinese theatre from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Kunqu has a 600-year history and is known as the "teacher" or "mother" of a hundred operas. It is a combination of drama, opera, ballet, poetry and musical.

The costumes are elaborate exaggerated versions of the Ming Dynasty style dress. The performers wear robes with extremely long white "water sleeves", which essentially serve as props to emphasize their dance movements. During the performance, each word or phrase is expressed by a stylized movement or gesture. Peony Pavilion and Palace of Eternal Youth are the most famous Kun operas in China. The musician of Ming Dynasty Wei Liangfu made great contribution to the development of Kunshan style and was considered "Father of Kun Opera".

Today, Kunqu is performed in seven mainland Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing, Chenzhou, Yongjia County/Wenzhou and Hangzhou, as well as in Taipei. Kunqu was listed as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2001. Its melody or tune is one of the Four Great Characteristic Melodies in Chinese opera.