It is generally believed that Nanqu originated in the Tang Dynasty and formed in the Song Dynasty:

(1) According to documentary records: In the first year of Guangqi of Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty (885), brothers Wang Chao and Wang Shenzhi Leading their troops into Fujian, they brought with them the "Daqu" of the Tang Dynasty and spread it among the Han people. The mutual influence and absorption of Daqu and local Han folk music resulted in the unique "Southern Opera".

(2) The pipa, the main instrument of Nanqu, is called Nanpa. It is a curved-neck pipa, and the playing posture is to hold it diagonally. The size of the flute used is strictly one shakuhachi, also known as the shakuhachi. The playing posture and shape of these two instruments are consistent with those made in the Tang Dynasty.

(3) Many of the names of Nanqu’s tunes are the same as those of Daqu and Faqu in the Tang Dynasty. Such as "Maha Tuole", "Midnight Song", "Qing Ping Le", "Liangzhou Song", "Brahman", etc.

(4) The five famous dramas of "Southern Opera" in the Song Dynasty: "The Story of Jingchai", "The Story of the White Rabbit", "The Story of Worshiping the Moon", "The Story of Killing the Dog" and "The Story of Pipa", also known as Nanqu Sing these plays.