Enjoy Kunqu Opera, Gold Craft at Jewelry Fashion Month

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: A Kunqu Opera performer sings on the Zigzag Bridge outside the Mid-Lake Pavilion teahouse in Shanghai's Yuyuan Garden.

Visitors to Shanghai's Yuyuan area this month can enjoy traditional Chinese opera and explore the techniques behind handcrafted gold jewelry during the 2026 Shanghai International Jewelry Fashion Month.

Running through November 30, the event spans the Yuyuan Garden Malls and the BFC Bund Finance Center, with a program combining performances, jewelry and hands-on cultural activities.

At Yuyuan, a highlight is a performance of scenes from "The Peony Pavilion" at Beaufort Terrace. Presented with the Shanghai Hongyimei Peking Opera Troupe, the Kunqu performance features young actors Chen Dongwei, Wang Siya and Gao Wei. Kunqu is a traditional form of Chinese opera known for its melodic singing and stylized movements.

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: Models showcase gold jewelry on the Zigzag Bridge during the opening of the 2026 Shanghai International Jewelry Fashion Month at the Yuyuan Garden Malls.

Elsewhere in the malls, daily parades along Ninghui Road and daytime interactions with costumed performers in the central and gold squares form part of the November program. Pop-up performances also extend entertainment into the outdoor areas.

Jewelry provides another way to explore traditional craftsmanship. Yuyuan's stores bring together brands working with gufa gold, or gold jewelry made using traditional techniques such as hammering, engraving and filigree, in which fine metal wires are shaped into intricate patterns. These pieces often have a matte, finely textured surface.

For visitors interested in how such pieces are made, the program includes small-group sessions on gold craftsmanship, metalworking workshops and conversations with traditional artisans.

BFC also offers a different selection of jewelry to browse, with designer pieces, accessories and watches alongside gold jewelry.