The original suona is a musical instrument that spread in Persia and Arabia. Even the name Suona is a transliteration of ancient Persian Surnā. Suona appeared in China in the 3rd century, and the image of playing suona has been found in the geisha music murals in Cave 38 of Qizil Grottoes in Baicheng, Xinjiang. In the Jin and Yuan Dynasties more than 700 years ago, it spread to the Central Plains of China. In the Ming Dynasty, there were records about suona in ancient books: during the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty (1506 ~ 152 1), suona was widely used in China. Qi Jiguang (1527 ~ 1587), a military commander in the Ming Dynasty, used suona in military music. He said in the Five Inscriptions of Ji Xiaoshu's Heart: "Whoever plays the trumpet is playing the suona."

There are more detailed records in "Three Stories Painting Meeting" (1607) edited by Wang Qi in the Ming Dynasty: suona is made of a seven-hole trumpet; Both ends are made of copper, and the pipe is made of wood. I don't know when it originated, but it is also a pleasure to be in the army. Nowadays, people use it more. "

In the Ming Dynasty, Wang Pan's Ode to the Horn Emperor is the best article to describe the suona: "Trumpet, big and small. The official ship is in a mess, and the price increase depends on you. The army worries about the army, and the people are afraid of the army. Where can we judge officials? Is it true?/You don't say. Seeing this, I blew the house down and hurt that one. I just blew the water away. "

In the late Ming Dynasty, suona played an important role in China traditional opera music, which was used to accompany singing and cut cards. In folk instrumental music based on traditional opera music, suona has also become an indispensable instrument.

In the Qing Dynasty, suona was called "Surnai" and was included in the court's "Guibu Qu". Nowadays, suona has become one of the musical instruments widely used by people of all ethnic groups in China.

China attaches great importance to the protection of intangible cultural heritage. On May 20th, 2006, suona art was approved by the State Council to be included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list.