This book interprets the complex theatrical phenomena in Chinese history through the lens of theatre study, uncovers the characteristics and significance of the theatre cultures across China’s diverse ethnic groups from an ethnological perspective, and applies historical analysis to examine the uniqueness and organic connections of theatrical phenomena across different periods. Through a flexible chapter structure and a writing style that balances both breadth and depth as well as complexity and simplicity, the book aims to comprehensively encompass the diverse forms of theatre of all Chinese ethnic groups from ancient times to the present within a limited length, thereby embodying the meaning of a concise history. The book presents the long history of Chinese theatre in three parts. The first part, “Origins and Evolution,” discusses theatre history from antiquity to the Five Dynasties period; the second part, “Classical Flourishing Ages,” covers theatre history of the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties; and the third part, “Diverse Development,” addresses theatre in the modern and contemporary eras.