An exhibition on Chinese classic drama Xi Xiang Ji, or the Romance of the Western Chamber, opened at the Guangdong Museum in Guangzhou's Tianhe district on Oct 25, and will run through Feb 25, 2024.

The Romance of the West Chamber was written by Wang Shifu, a Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) playwright. It tells the story of a young scholar named Zhang Sheng and his forbidden love for Cui Yingying, the daughter of a high-ranking official.

An old Romance of the West Chamber book is displayed at the exhibition. [Photo/Yangcheng Evening News]

According to the exhibition's curator Liu Dan, the exhibition explores the emotions, historical value and cultural connotation of the Romance of the West Chamber and helps forge a connection between the ancient literary classics and contemporary culture.

Some 320 cultural relics such as ancient books and wood carvings are being exhibited, introducing how Yuan Opera, the main body of literature in the Yuan Dynasty, was created as well as its performance forms, and showing the change in views on marriage and love from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) to the Song (960-1279) and Yuan dynasties.

A porcelain bottle features paintings depicting the story of the Romance of the West Chamber. [Photo/Yangcheng Evening News]

Beautiful paintings depicting the love story of Zhang Sheng and Cui Yingying are featured on the fan. [Photo/Yangcheng Evening News]

A visitor takes pictures of the background wall at the exhibition, which features paintings and words related to the Romance of the West Chamber. [Photo/Yangcheng Evening News]