March 11, 2008

China in their hands

Do you know your pipa from your guqin? Are you down with Joyside and New Pants? Meet the movers and shakers on Beijing's music scene in these portraits by Dan Chung

New Pants pose in a Beijing lingerie store — Alt-rock act New Pants pose in a Beijing lingerie store. The band sold 100,000 copies of their debut album in China Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Bian Yuan (R) and bass player Liu Hac — Bian Yuan of Joyside (right) is considered 'China's Jim Morrison'. He strikes a pose here with bass player Liu Hac Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Opera singer Dai Yuqiang poses in front of the National Centre for Performing Arts — Opera singer Dai Yuqiang in front of the National Centre for Performing Arts in Beijing Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Violin student Li Furong — Li Furong is one of a supposed 10 million violin students in China. Watch a video about her life Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Guqin player Wu Na — Wu Na plays the guqin, a seven-string zither once favoured by Confucius Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Pipa player Zhao Cong pictured near Beijing's Drum Tower — Zhao Cong, pictured near Beijing's Drum Tower, is a pipa (lute) player. Watch a demonstration Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

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