崑曲是中國現存歷史悠久、成就輝煌的傳統表演藝術，對中國文學、戲劇、音樂、舞蹈都有深遠的影響。2001年，崑曲名列聯合國教科文組織公佈第一批“人類口述、非物質文化遺產代表作”。

崑曲於明代嘉靖、隆慶年間(1552-1572），流行於江蘇崑山一帶，稱為崑山腔或水磨調，從明中葉到清道光年間約三百年，風行全國。崑曲的劇本叫傳奇，文字優美，寓意深切，如湯顯祖的《牡丹亭》、洪昇的《長生殿》等，都是中國文學名著。崑曲的音樂繼承了元曲系統的北方音樂，以及唐宋以來南方流行的音樂，合稱南北曲。崑曲文場的主奏樂器是笛子，武場以鼓板為引導。崑曲的舞蹈源於太極和宮廷舞，動作以圓為主，講究陰陽互動，虛實相生。崑曲的表演把唱、唸、做、表、舞蹈，以及翻撲、武打等多種藝術，以載歌載舞的方式，將表演與唱腔融合為一，不但給觀眾聽覺和視覺的享受，更能深刻地塑造劇中人物，突出劇本的主題思想。

崑曲結合詩的意境，畫的風采，融詩歌樂舞於一體，是一個完整的表演藝術體系。京劇和許多地方戲的劇本、鑼鼓和表演方式都是從崑曲吸收演變而來。所以崑曲藝術的研究、保存和發揚，值得所有愛好中國藝術，珍惜中國文化的人重視。

Kunqu stands as the oldest extant genre of Chinese theatre and has had far-reaching influences on Chinese literature, stage performance, music, and dance. In 2001, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) proclaimed kunqu, along with 18 other forms of cultural genres, as a masterpiece of “the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.”

Kunqu took shape in the mid sixteenth century in the lower Yangtze region of China and gained nationwide popularity in the following three hundred years. The scripts of kunqu are known for their refined, lyrical beauty; works such as Tang Xianzu’s The Peony Pavilion (1598) and Hong Sheng’s The Palace of Eternal Youth (1688) are regarded as masterpieces of Chinese literature and poetry. In performance, singing, recitation, movement, martial arts techniques, and acrobatic stunts are fused into a single dynamic, flowing, and harmonious performance. These well-integrated stage actions not only bring the audience sensory enjoyment but also add depth to the characters and convey the dramatic themes.

Kunqu has developed into a profound performing tradition and has provided literature, training, and inspiration for later genres of Chinese theatre. It is both a critical landmark and living tradition of Chinese performing arts and culture.