Hua'er is a representative Hui ethnic folk song in Gansu province, the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Qinghai province and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. A majority of the folk songs are themed with romance and center on the daily life of the Hui ethnic group. Local people often gather in the beautiful mountains and forests, and among the lucid waters and lush mountains share their songs in a much anticipated thematic event.
The annual Shifogou Hua'er Music Festival has been held for 21 years. Early in 2006, the Shifogou National Forest Park was recognized by the Gansu Folk Literature and Art Association as a demonstration base to pass on the traditions of Hua'er music. In the same year, the unique music genre was also added to China's first national list of intangible cultural heritage by the State Council.
