Peepshows with Singing and Commentary are called peepshows for short. During the performance, actors and actresses put various miniature reproductions of paintings in tailor-made wooden trunks, the ektexines of which have several circular holes with a convex lens installed in each hole. People can look into the inside of the wooden trunks via the convex lens. Actors and actresses sing and beat gongs and drums while conducting peepshows. At the time when films were not popular yet, peepshows were a substitute way of entertainment, and can be called as the unrefined films on street unique to China.

Peepshows were also one of the vaudevilles in the Tianqiao Bazaar of old Beijing. The Great Gold Tooth, one of the eight ginks in the bazaar, was a conductor of peepshows. When he was conducting peepshows, his singing was very humorous and pleasant to pleasant to listen to. In temple fairs or market days, peepshows were one of the greatest pleasures for children and the poor. The miniature reproductions of paintings often included the scenery of the West Lake.

Nearly all Chinese of 50 to 60 years old are familiar with the peepshows, and even peered into the wooden trunks via convex lens when they were young.