Why did traditional Chinese opera use very little scenery?

Traditional Chinese opera is characterized by a highly conventionalized style that relies on the audience's imagination rather than elaborate physical sets. The virtual absence of scenery serves to accentuate the performers' elaborate costumes and makeup, while also allowing the focus to remain on the actors' movements and gestures.12

Several factors contributed to this minimalist approach:

• Practicality: It has been suggested that the historical poverty of opera troupes and the necessity of traveling with minimal properties and scenery encouraged the development of these conventions.1
• Symbolism: Rather than using realistic sets, the theatre employs a highly developed system of symbolism. A table and chairs can represent a throne, mountain, or tower, while specific movements—such as walking in a circle or holding a whip—suggest journeys or riding a horse.12
• Artistic Philosophy: The Chinese tradition often views Western-style dramatic realism as a hindrance that atrophies the imagination. By keeping the stage bare, the performance maintains a non-illusionary premise that prioritizes the actor's skill and the audience's active participation in visualizing the scene.2