Kun Opera, which derives its name from the Kunshan area of Jiangsu Province, where it first came into popularity, has one style of tune. As early as the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, it was recognized as one form of southern song. This period was one of intense political, economic and cultural development in the south.
崑曲作為一種聲腔，早在元末明初就是南曲的一個流派，因為在江蘇昆山一帶流行，稱為「昆山腔」。