Xinghai Conservatory of Music, located in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, has been selected as the national college students' cultural quality education base and the inheritance base of Chinese excellent traditional culture (Cantonese opera) in colleges and universities of the Ministry of Education. It is the only higher music professional institution in South China.

Xinghai Conservatory of Music was formerly known as Guangzhou Conservatory of Music, which was founded in 1957. In 1958, it was set up as Guangzhou Music College; In early 1965, it merged with Guangdong Dance School to form Guangdong Art College; In 1969, it merged with Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts to form Guangdong People's Art College; In March 1978, it was renamed Guangzhou Conservatory of Music; In June 1981, it was approved by the State Council as Guangzhou Conservatory of Music; In December 1985, it was renamed Xinghai Conservatory of Music in memory of Xian Xinghai, a Cantonese musician.