"A traditional Baisha classical music band consists of more than 30 instruments. These include the flute, wooden fishes, gongs and drums, as well as traditional stringed instruments like pipa, erhu, zhonghu, jinghu and sanxian," said He Shanzhi, a 63-year-old local resident. Today, about 40 people in Baisha Ancient Town of Lijiang are skilled at playing traditional Baisha classical music, and a quarter of them have joined in a public welfare music band.

the Naxi ethnic culture, traditional Baisha classical music combines instrumental and vocal music with dance, and is considered a "living fossil" of Chinese classical music.

In Baisha Ancient Town, some old people are making efforts to pass on traditional Baisha classical music and introduce it to more people. Duan Zufu, a 68-year-old villager, plays the flute in the local music band. He has a grandson who is only 12 years old, but the boy has learned erhu and can already play some simple pieces of traditional Baishaclassical music.

As a growing number of tourists come to Baisha, local residents are living a better life. As a result, local farmers can take their focus away from farm work, to pass on and carry forward traditional Baisha classical music.

"Many foreigners love traditional Baisha classical music. Of course, we also play ancient Naxi music. Now, all of us can greet foreigners in several languages," said He Shanzhi.