Its popularity culminated in the Yuan Dynasty and spread to Persia. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties it was divided into many sects and spread to Java, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma and Japan, etc. Of the sects in the Qing Dynasty,Luanzhou shadow play is the most famous. While in performance, a curtain is hung against which a lamp or candle is lit. Behind the curtain the performer manipulate the silhouettes to act, accompanied by singing,reading lines and playing musical instruments.
Some shadow play troupes are made up of singers, drum players and their assistants.
The roles of the play are characterized into painted face, male, female, and comic role. It is said that it emerged in the Ming Dynasty. This shadow play participated in the theatrical festival held in Beijing in 1503. It is also said that the shadow play was circulated into Hebei Province and finally reached Beijing. It is divided into the east and west sects.