Forget everything you think you know about the Monkey King. What if his greatest adventure isn't about fighting demons or mastering clouds, but about the quiet moments of teaching, protecting, and growing up? On February 28th and March 1st, 2026, The Children of Huaguo Mountain, Time to Train! (花果山之孩儿们，操练起来！) lands at the Quanzhou Grand Theater, and it's bringing a completely different side of the legend to the stage. This isn't just another epic tale of the rebellious hero. It shifts the spotlight to the lively monkey children of Huaguo Mountain (花果山), turning the grand myth into a warm, relatable story about family.
Through their eyes, we witness the Stone Monkey's birth, his journey to learn from a master, and his return to defend their home. It's a show designed for the whole family—where kids find pure joy in the adventure and adults discover a touching story about responsibility and love.
Performance Time:
Saturday, February 28th, 2026 at 19:30
Sunday, March 15st, 2026 at 15:30
Venue:
Quanzhou Grand Theatre
Finding Yourself in the Story
For a child, this puppet show is a ticket straight into a mythical playground. The puppets are vibrant and full of life. They'll see Sun Wukong (孙悟空) soar through the air with his signature swagger and watch the little monkeys tumble and play in hilarious ways. It sparks their imagination, making the world of Journey to the West feel thrillingly real. But underneath the fun, simple lessons about courage, gratitude, and sticking up for your friends take root naturally, without a single preachy moment.
Parents, get ready for a surprisingly moving experience. The Monkey King you grew up with is here, but he's more than just a defiant rebel. He's a gentle guardian to the monkey children, a devoted student who remembers his teacher's kindness. This show peels back the layers of the hero, revealing his warmth and his sense of duty. It’s a beautiful reminder of what it means to be a protector and a guide, sparking conversations between generations and making the journey home just as meaningful as the one on stage. One viewer review perfectly captured this, calling it "a work that resonates with the whole family" .
Where Wood and String Become Magic
The true stars of the night are the puppets themselves, brought to life by the incredible artistry of intangible cultural heritage. A dedicated team of puppet makers has crafted each character with stunning detail and personality. From Sun Wukong's agile and dashing form to the gentle kindness of the Elderly Monkey, and from the light elegance of the Celestial Maiden to the dignified presence of the gods—every single puppet is a work of art. It takes immense skill, with manipulators sometimes controlling over 28 strings on a single puppet to make it sneeze, laugh, or fight. As the manipulators' fingers dance, these figures of wood and string seem to breathe, instantly transporting the legendary Huaguo Mountain right onto the stage.
The visual experience is just as breathtaking. The stage design masterfully blends the minimalist beauty of traditional Chinese landscape painting with modern lighting and projection. The quiet mystery of the Water Curtain Cave, the dazzling fantasy of the Dragon Palace, and the majestic scale of the Heavenly Court all unfold before your eyes. It’s a feast for the senses, making the ancient art of puppetry feel fresh, immersive, and absolutely captivating for everyone. As one enthusiastic audience member noted, "The combination of light and shadow with the puppets creates a fantastic visual effect, as if you are in a mythical world" .
Your Family's Perfect Spring Outing
Stuck on how to spend a perfect spring weekend? This puppet show at the Quanzhou Grand Theater is your answer. Running for just two days, it's a limited engagement you won't want to miss. There are no confusing plots here—just pure, shared joy and moments of genuine emotion. It’s not a distant myth told from a page; it's a warm, tangible story of love and courage that unfolds right in front of you.
Bring your kids, bring the grandparents, and meet a Monkey King unlike any you've seen before. It’s one story, but two takeaways: your children will leave with big smiles and little seeds of courage, while you'll rediscover the simple, powerful feelings of warmth and connection that make family time so special.
So mark your calendars for February 28th and March 1st, 2026. The team behind this production, including puppeteers like Hong Jindiao (洪金雕), who carries forward the legacy of Quanzhou string puppetry, has poured their heart into creating a show that respects tradition while speaking directly to modern families . Head to the Quanzhou Grand Theater and claim your seats for The Children of Huaguo Mountain, Time to Train!. It’s more than a show; it’s an invitation to step into a world of myth and puppetry, and to create a beautiful, shared memory with the people you love most.
