Several international students from the College of Textile and Clothing Engineering of Soochow University in Suzhou, Jiangsu province learn Kunqu Opera from Lyu Jia, a top performer in the art form, on Dec 21. [Photo by Hua Xuegen/For China Daily]

Several international students from the College of Textile and Clothing Engineering of Soochow University in Suzhou, Jiangsu province learned Kunqu Opera from Lyu Jia, a talented performer skilled in the ancient style of singing and storytelling.

International students in the city now have easy access to a range of exciting cultural activities.

Kunqu Opera originated from Kunshan, a county-level city governed by Suzhou. It is a time-honored drama style listed by UNESCO in 2001 as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity."

Beginning from the late Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Kunqu Opera boasts a history of over 600 years and is renowned as the "ancestor of Chinese dramas" and the "mother of Chinese operas."

As a Suzhou-conceived dramatic art, Kunqu Opera is rich in Suzhou cultural features, but has also absorbed the characteristics of other famous Chinese operas due to its wide spread across the country.

To provide the best stage effects and artistic beauty, Kunqu Opera is especially renowned for its fine makeup, soft and graceful singing, elegant movements, as well as traditional music, which provides a hearty visual and audio feast for audiences.

Classic Kunqu operas include The Peony Pavilion, Palace of Eternal Life, Peach Blossoms Fan, and Fifteen Strings of Cash.