Yi Zhi He Hua is the top model of the Kaoji series — performance-instrument expression at exam-instrument pricing. It suits families making a long-term commitment who do not want to buy twice.
The soundboard and timber grade approach entry performance instruments, and each body passes a stability observation period after assembly. The lotus theme is matched piece by piece at the finishing stage.
The tone has the density and layering of a performance instrument, so the whole path from practice room to stage can be walked on one instrument. For a parent, that is the economical one-step choice.
An instrument you intend to keep deserves care: a fixed position, no moving by children, tuning each quarter. A healthy top will see a child through the entire exam cycle.
For exam grades and sizing, see graded exam guzheng buying guide.
Buying advice: this model is listed at CNY 8560, which is the top of the range of the 8 models in the Kaoji series (prices run CNY 5000 to CNY 8560).To keep the budget down, start from Dancing Butterflies (CNY 7000). Bulk pricing is explained in How to order.
FAQ: How far will an exam-series instrument take a student? The series covers the full cycle from beginner to upper-intermediate, and the corresponding grade range is noted on each product page. Students aiming at music-specialist school admission should choose the upper models of this series.
Suitable for: the Grading series is for young students, training centres and exam candidates — stable tuning and comfortable action make it a reliable choice for grading and daily practice. Batch orders for studios and schools are quoted by quantity with a specification list. Send your quantities and scenario through the enquiry form.
I read through the reviews before buying, and it was not a mistake, the harmonics ring out clearly, and come out with the lightest touch.
It is lighter than my old one, and my child can carry it herself. The tone overall is on the warm side, rather than bright, which I prefer, it looks even better made in person than in the photos, you can see the details far more clearly.
The packing was done with care, I'll be back.
It shipped the day after I ordered, delivery was faster than I expected, the tuning pins are set just right, neither loose nor stiff. Worth the price!
I hesitated for a long time, and ordered during a promotion, the string spacing is even, the octaves are true, and it barely needs adjusting, I took it to a lesson, and my teacher said the tone was good too, there is a slight difference between the colour and the website, but it is acceptable.
Customer service was very patient, and answered every question one by one, the edges are finished very cleanly, with no rough spots.
Bought it for my child's graded exams, and the teacher says it is enough, they sent me a video of the actual instrument before shipping, which put my mind at rest, it feels very solid overall, and it does not shift even when you play hard, it drifted quite often at first, and took three tunings to settle. Five stars.
After-sales rang me to check it had arrived, which is rare, my child practises an hour a day, and likes it more the more she plays. At this price it holds its own against anything. Worth the price.
My neighbour's child learns guzheng, and recommended this one, so they bought one too, the colour is a shade darker than the photos, but it feels better made, compared with my last one, the difference was obvious straight away, this much workmanship at this price, there is nothing to find fault with, delivery was two days late, and I was getting anxious!
I had been watching this shop for a long time, and finally ordered. The grain on the soundboard looks natural, the finish is thin, and you can tell it was applied by hand. Customer service even showed me how to tune it, so I was not nervous picking it up for the first time!
This is my second purchase here, and the feel is just as I remembered. The strings feel a little soft under the fingers, so a child can press them without strain, it came in a wooden crate packed with thick foam, five days in transit and not a single knock, customer service was a little slow to reply, and only answered the second time I asked, very happy overall.