Wu Xia is the more finished mini in the Xiaozheng series, for players who want both portability and tone — a common upgrade within the mini range.
Soundboard and bridge matching are above entry mini standards, with note-by-note checks before release. Lacquer and edge finishing are detailed enough to survive frequent travel.
The voice is thicker and more continuous than entry minis; the usual short-string problems — a piercing top and an empty bass — are largely corrected, narrowing the gap between practice and performance.
After travelling, do not pack the instrument away while it is still damp. Keep a humidity card inside the case; it is more reliable than guessing.
For sizing and where a small guzheng fits, see choosing the right guzheng size.
Buying advice: this model is listed at CNY 5660, which is a lower price in the range of the 9 models in the Mini guzheng series (prices run CNY 4000 to CNY 18000).Glazed Glass (CNY 5980) is the next step up and is worth comparing if your budget is close. To keep the budget down, start from Gazing at the Peak (CNY 4720). Colourful Butterfly sits at the same price with a different look and voicing — pick on taste. Bulk pricing is explained in How to order.
FAQ: Can a student alternate between a mini and a standard instrument? Yes, but choose a mini whose string positions and fingering stay close to a standard guzheng, or the change of action will interrupt their progress. For performance goals, keep the standard instrument primary.
Suitable for: the mini guzheng suits a child’s first lessons, a beginner’s start and travel playing — light, portable and good for practice in limited space. For a child’s instrument or a portable setup, tell us your scenario through the enquiry form and we will help you pick a size.
I read through the reviews before buying, and it was not a mistake, it came in a wooden crate packed with thick foam, five days in transit and not a single knock, it looks even better made in person than in the photos, you can see the details far more clearly!
The seams on the back are very even, and you can tell the work was done with care. The tuning holds very steadily, two months of playing and it has barely drifted, very happy overall!
I hesitated for a long time, and ordered during a promotion. The edges are finished very cleanly, with no rough spots, I would recommend it!
Bought it for my child to start on, and the size is just right, it lives in the teaching room, where students take turns on it, and it takes the wear.
I take it on business trips to practise, and can play in a hotel room, the colour is a shade darker than the photos, but it feels better made. They sent me a video of the actual instrument before shipping, which put my mind at rest. I'll be back.
I rent, and there is really no room for a full-size guzheng, so this is perfect, I took it to a lesson, and my teacher said the tone was good too, the tuning pins are set just right, neither loose nor stiff. I would recommend it.
This is my second purchase here, and the feel is just as I remembered, the bridges are smoothed off nicely, and do not catch your hand when you shift position. A friend heard it at my place, and asked where I bought it, delivery was two days late, and I was getting anxious.
I mainly wanted it because it is small, and it fits at home, the top is bright without being shrill, and the bass really goes down, the sustain lasts a long time. This much workmanship at this price, there is nothing to find fault with.
It feels very solid overall, and it does not shift even when you play hard, at this price it holds its own against anything. The crate was very large, and I could not move it on my own!