Boat: As Performing Spaces

In addition to the tradition of land-based performing arts,there is another one,which has been existing on the water,taking the boat as a performing space.Boat-based performance originated in the water-related ritual in ancient China and developed with the historical trend of applying boat into entertainment.People interested in leisure activities in boat covered all levels of society.Based on different appreciators,performers and performance styles,this paper divides boat-based performance into three categories:performance of royal background,of meeting to literati's interesting,and of folk activities.Singing and dancing in boat is rooted in our culture.In our country,water is such an important factor in folk customs,that water-intimated activities can offer practical conditions for boat-based performance.Another factor is the national aesthetic mind of Yinrou(feminine tendemess),which is the cause for Chinese people loving boat-based performance so much.