Qiuci, a Silk Road dance drama that first premiered as an excerpt at this year’s Spring Festival Gala, will be performed from 22 to 23 May at the Zhuhai Opera and 29 to 30 May at the Shenzhen Grand Theatre.
Set in Qiuci, Xinjiang, where Buddhism was first introduced to the western part of China from India over a millennium ago, the drama follows the Buddhist monk Xuanzang as he journeys along the Silk Road.
Through Xuanzang, audiences witness the life of Kumarajiva, a Buddhist translator and scholar whose journey mirrors the broader story of cultural exchange between East and West.
[See more: Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night takes the stage in Shenzhen next month]
The production draws inspiration from Qiuci cave art from the Buddhist Kizil Caves, with the dance choreography derived directly from ancient Qiuci poses preserved in the murals.
The famed artworks stand as testimony to Xinjiang’s historical role as a meeting point for diverse cultures and religions.
Tickets for the show are available on Damai and range from 180 to 880 yuan.
