Guan has a long history. In the prosperous Tang Dynasty, Guan was so popular that many famous Poets such as Bai Ju Yi and Du Fu had used it as theme of their poems.
Its structure is similar to Suona, except that the wooden tube is thicker, the reed is bigger and there is no steel opening end. The sound that it produces is unique and is capable of imitating the sound of crying with its great variety of vibratos. Many touching music is played by Guan. Famous Solos are "Jiang He Shui", "Yang Guang San Die" etc.
Di Guan is known as low pitch Guan. It is used to complement Gao Yin Suona, Zhong Yin Suona, and Ci Zhong Yin Suona. Together, they played a harmonious melody in the Chinese Orchestra.