Huai opera, also known as Jianghuai opera, originated in the Qing Dynasty and was popular in Jiangsu, Shanghai and parts of Anhui. Since the Qing Dynasty, it has been popular in Huai'an and Yangzhou. The original Huai opera was mostly folk life dramas, and its main singing tune was developed on the basis of Mentanci, Xianghuodiao and some folk songs, which was called Huaidiao (later called Lao Huaidiao). Later, influenced by Hui opera and Beijing opera, some dramas depicting historical life were transplanted and performed. Because they needed to wear a backguard and a handle, they were called "backguard and handle drama". In terms of singing, the singing of Hui opera was absorbed and changed accordingly, and the backguard and handle tune (also known as Lao Huidiao) was created. Later, on the basis of Xianghuodiao, some new tunes were created with erhu accompaniment. Because the erhu was played with a bow, it was called pull tune. In addition to the above main singing tunes, Huai opera singing also has Nanchang tune, Huaibei tune, Chundiao, Shizi tune, Xiahe tune, Yezi tune and other tunes. As well as some tunes from folk songs, such as Mofang Tune, Bugang Tune, Tiaocao Tune, Baduanjin Tune, Lanqiao Tune, etc. Accompaniment instruments include erhu, sanxian, yangqin, flute, suona, etc.; percussion instruments include flat drum, Su gong, cymbals, Tang gong, etc. A complete set of accompaniment gongs and drums developed on the basis of Yanfu Huagu Gong, Tongzi Gong, and Qilin Gong has distinct artistic characteristics. The language of Huai Opera is based on Jianghuai Mandarin. In the 1950s, Huai Opera and Yang Opera and other operas were performed on the same stage in Yangzhou. Later, Yangzhou had the New Huai Opera Troupe and Taizhou Huai Opera Troupe, Baoying, Gaoyou, and Xinghua all had Huai Opera Troupes, and Baoying still has a Huai Opera Troupe today.