Did you know there is a 600-year-old Chinese opera form that many may have never heard of? Xiang opera, which emerged in central China's Hunan Province during the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), draws on diverse regional singing traditions and has preserved centuries of storytelling. In this episode of #OperaTrails, CGTN sits down with Xiang opera performer Cao Weizhi to explore what makes this rare art form so enduring and what it takes to keep it thriving today. #CGTN | CGTN

The Chinese opera that is older than Peking Opera Kun Opera or Kunqu is one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera, and is a treasure of Chinese culture. It dominated Chinese theatre from the 16th to the 18th centuries. There are strict face painting rules, with the same character adopting different designs at different times throughout the performance according to different moods and situations. #VividChina | China Plus Culture