Best Guzhengs of 2025

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Guzhengs are traditional Chinese musical instruments that have been played for over 2,500 years. They are known for their beautiful, melodic sound and are often used in Chinese orchestras and ensembles. Guzhengs are made of wood and have 21 or more strings, which are plucked with picks or fingers. They come in various sizes, from small travel-sized instruments to large concert-sized ones. Guzhengs are not only a beautiful addition to any music collection but also offer a unique cultural experience for those interested in traditional Chinese music.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Guzhengs
Dunhuang Pro Bubinga Guzheng 694F-MH "Eternal Jade"
The Dunhuang Professional Bubinga Guzheng 694F-MH "Eternal Jade" is a limited edition 21-stringed guzheng with a professional grade paulownia soundboard and backboard, Bubinga frame, and professional rosewood bridges. It comes with free guzheng picks, tape, tuning wrench, soundboard cleaning brush, a Musedo Guzheng Chromatic Tuner, an English & Chinese manual, and soft carrying case. Setup instructions are provided and free support is available over the phone or internet. This beautiful instrument is perfect for musicians who want a professional quality sound and a complete package to get started playing.
MI&VI 21-String Guzheng Instrument
The MI&VI Guzheng Instrument is a beautifully crafted traditional zither made from high-quality paulownia wood. This 21-string model allows you to explore a wide range of musical techniques, enhancing your playing experience with its bright and sweet sound. The elegant wood construction not only provides a stable platform but also adds a timeless beauty to your music setup. Additionally, the essentials kit includes everything you need to get started, such as finger picks and a tuning wrench, ensuring you have all the tools for a seamless musical journey.
Dunhuang 696D Guzheng
The Dunhuang Guzheng 696D is a beautifully crafted 21-stringed instrument made from African Padauk with a resonant paulownia soundboard. This setup enhances the sound quality, making your music more vibrant and rich. The package includes essential accessories like a professional rosewood bridge, tuning wrench, and a comprehensive manual in both English and Chinese, ensuring you have everything you need to start playing. You’ll also appreciate the inclusion of a soft carrying case for easy transport, along with finger picks and a chromatic tuner, which simplifies the tuning process for a hassle-free experience.
LANDTOM Guzheng Finger Trainer with Full Accessories
The LANDTOM Guzheng Finger Trainer comes with a backpack, tuning wrench, tuner, spare strings, tape, dust brush, and practice nails. Made of paulownia, a common material for musical instruments and furniture, this guzheng is durable and resistant to decay, acid and alkali, and abrasion. Precision workmanship includes a Gu Zheng code bar for tightening strings, round speakers, and special steel string nails. The mini size of 5534 cm/21.613.4 inches makes it easy to store and carry, while the round string eye protector prevents cracking.
OrientalMusicSanctuary Paulownia Travel Guzheng
The OrientalMusicSanctuary Paulownia Travel Guzheng is a travel-sized Chinese koto made with solid paulownia and rosewood veneer. It is more portable than a full-sized Guzheng, making it perfect for the travelling musician. The Guzheng sounds almost as good as a full-sized one and comes with all the necessary accessories. OrientalMusicSanctuary provides a USA-based warranty, and the comprehensive practice book with etudes is included.
LANDTOM Professional Paulownia Guzheng
The LANDTOM Professional Paulownia Guzheng is a standard sized, 21-stringed musical instrument made from black sandalwood and paulownia wood, and is suitable for beginner, intermediate, and Level 10 performances. It comes with all the necessary accessories such as bridges, guzheng picks, tuning wrench, soundboard cleaning brush, matching stands, chromatic tuner, and a soft carry case. Additionally, the Chinese manual is included, providing users with a comprehensive guide to playing the guzheng. LANDTOM has its own manufacturing plant, and the product is sold at a reasonable price, nearly the same as in China.
OrientalMusicSanctuary Black Sandalwood Travel Guzheng
OrientalMusicSanctuary presents a 4'1" Travel Guzheng made with solid paulownia and Black Sandalwood Veneer that sounds almost as good as a full-sized Guzheng. The Guzheng is brighter and louder than most travel Guzheng, and has a mellow bass tone. It's more portable for the travelling musician. It comes with a comprehensive tutorial book and etudes, making it an ideal choice for beginners. OrientalMusicSanctuary provides a USA-Based Warranty.
OrientalMusicSanctuary Travel Guzheng - Tang Dynasty Design
The OrientalMusicSanctuary Travel Guzheng - Tang Dynasty Design is a compact 4'1" guzheng made with solid paulownia, perfect for travelling musicians. It features professional balance and tone, while being more portable than traditional guzhengs. The package comes with all accessories shown and a comprehensive tutorial book with etudes. OrientalMusicSanctuary also provides a USA-based warranty for the product.
NS Musical Guzheng with Accessories
The NS Musical Guzheng is a beautifully crafted instrument, perfect for musicians of all skill levels. Its intricate designs and elegant Black sandalwood construction not only enhance its aesthetic appeal but also provide a rich tonal quality. With Red Sandalwood anti-slip bridges and premium strings, you can expect clear, resonant sounds during your performances. The paulownia wood soundboard ensures that your music projects well, making it suitable for solo or ensemble settings. Additionally, this Guzheng comes with a comprehensive set of accessories, including a professional tuner and a convenient backpack, making it easy for you to transport and maintain your instrument.
Dunhuang 696D Guzheng
The Dunhuang Guzheng is a 21-string instrument crafted from African Padauk wood, featuring a resonant paulownia soundboard and backboard. This setup provides excellent sound quality, making it ideal for beginners who want to learn and enjoy playing music. The package includes essential accessories like a professional rosewood bridge, tuning wrench, and a soft carrying case, ensuring you have everything you need to get started. Additionally, each instrument comes with a serial number for authenticity, giving you peace of mind about your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much does a guzheng cost?
The cost of a guzheng can vary, but a new player can expect to spend around $700 USD on the instrument and related equipment. Additionally, lessons can add an additional cost of $1,000-$2,000 USD per year.
2. Is it hard to learn guzheng?
Guzheng is considered relatively easy to learn, especially for beginners. Its crystalline tone and flowing water-like sound make it a suitable instrument for online lessons. With dedication and practice, beginners can quickly pick up the basics of playing the guzheng.
3. What are the different types of guzheng?
There are six main Chinese guzheng schools or styles: Shandong, Henan, Chaozhou, Hakka, Zhejiang, and Fujian. Each style has its own origin, example songs, and techniques that they are known for.
4. Can you self-learn guzheng?
Yes, it is possible to self-learn guzheng. However, it is recommended to find teaching resources such as online courses or books to guide your learning. There are several online courses and English guzheng teaching books available that can assist you in self-learning the instrument.
5. How long does it take to learn to play the guzheng?
With regular practice, it is possible to achieve a basic level of playing the guzheng within a few months. However, mastering the instrument and becoming proficient may take several years of dedicated practice and learning.
6. Is guzheng a hard instrument?
Guzheng is considered a relatively easy instrument to start with, especially for those who are new to music. The strings are already fine-tuned, so players don't have to worry about getting the notes right like with other instruments such as violin or erhu. The main focus is on plucking the correct strings.
During our guzheng research, we found 24 guzheng products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,319 customer reviews through our big data system to write the guzhengs list. We found that most customers choose guzhengs with an average price of $513.55.
The guzhengs are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of guzhengs, including Dunhuang, M MI & VI, LANDTOM, OrientalMusicSanctuary, NS Musical. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 206 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Nicole Kim has been a music teacher and a private piano instructor for six years now. She is a very talented musician who plays piano to a high standard and won several awards in international piano competitions. Lately, she has been sharing her music expertise online, giving incredible tips on how to select the right musical instruments.