Liuqin is a plucked musical instrument, which also belongs to the category of pipa. It is named as liuqin or liu ye qin, because it is made from the wood of the willow tree and also its appearance is similar to the willow leaf. The look and structure of liuqin resemble that of pipa very much. The structure of the earliest liuqin is very simple. Its appearance is so rustic and localized, the Chinese people gave it a very affectionate name "tu pipa", in which the Chinese character "tu" could be literally translated as rustic and simple. "Tu pipa" has been very popular in the folk region of Shandon, Anhui and Jiangsu. It is played in the accompaniment of the local opera.

Not only does liuqin has a similar appearance and structure to pipa, but also is played in the same way as pipa. While performing, the player should sit straight, hold the organ in the left hand and press the strings. The plectrum is put between the thumb and the index finger of the right hand. The posture looks very graceful.

At the end of the year 1958, a group of workers from the Wan Huiran Musical Instrument factory invented a new type of liuqin. It has three pieces of strings and is called the three stringed liuqin. There are 24 music poles. Compared with pipa, the range of the new instrument is enlarged and it is convenient to switch its tone, and the timber turns from noisy to bright. In the 1970s, that factory created a second new type of liuqin again. The strings and music poles were added again. Most importantly, the shaft of Chinese sorghum takes the place of bamboo, and the strings are made of steel instead of silk. These changes have greatly improved the qualities of liuqin. From then on, it began to be played in solo instead of accompaniment during the past 200 years.

Today, liuqin has been played in all kinds of music performances in China. In the folk band, due to a unique sound effect, it is often used to play the high pitch region of the main rhythm. Because the tone is not easily covered and mixed by the sound of other musical instruments, it is sometimes played a very important role in the highlight performing. In addition, liuqin has the sound effect of mandolin; it can generate a special flavor when played together with the western bands.