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GuangxiWenchangis calledWenchangfor short, and is prevalent in mandarin-speaking areas north of Guilin in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, especially in Guilin, Liuzhou and so on. GuangxiWenchangis the representative form ofQuyiin this region, having reached here early in the Daoguang reign (1821-1851) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) from Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

A scene from Wenchang Welcoming Guests by a City Full of Golden Tassels

Sung in the Guilin dialect and much influenced by local folk songs and local drama, arias predominate inWenchangwith dialogues playing a secondary role. Several people sit and sing the traditional opera parts, such as the young man, young woman and clown. The number of singers is determined by the number of characters or parts to be sung. Each singer also plays an instrument, which may be a dulcimer,Pipa(lute),Erhu(a two-stringed bowed instrument), flute, clappers or a gong. The players may be dressed in theatrical costumes, in which case the performance is calledWenchang Guayi, meaning "with costume." After the 1960s,Wenchangbecame to be staged in theaters. Another form ofWenchangis calledZouchang, which involves singing while walking or dancing.

The vocal music of GuangxiWenchangis divided intoDadiaoandXiaodiao(canzonet). The narratives of the songs are based on historical romances or tales of the supernatural written during the Ming (1644-1911) and Qing dynasties. The best known areTheStory of the Jade Pin,The Story of White SnakeandThe Western Bower Descriptionsof beautiful scenery in Guilin appeared in the form of GuangxiWenchangin recent years. Examples areStrolling in a Picture,The Fairyland of GuilinandA Visit to the Seven Star Cave at Night.