The word yangqin describes a dulcimer played with rubber-tipped sticks. Essentially a hammered instrument rather than a plucked one, the yangqin has strings that come in sets. A set of strings comprises of four or five individual strings that have been tuned to the same pitch.
It is believed that the instrument originated in Central Asia but was introduced to China at the end of Ming Dynasty (around AD 1600). The instrument later became common throughout China.