Visitors view exhibits on display at the Hunan Provincial Museum in Changsha, Hunan province, on Aug 6. [Photo provided to China Daily]

In a packed auditorium at the Hunan Provincial Museum, a special performance is being staged, transporting the audience back to the Western Han Dynasty period (202 BC-AD 25).

Featuring melodious Beijing Opera vocals, mesmerizing choreography and modern multimedia visuals, the show is centered on the world-famous Mawangdui Tombs, bringing to life the ancient treasures discovered there.

"We want to tell a story that is consistent with the historical facts," said Chi Jun, the playwright behind the performance. "The performances that people see in the museum theater upstairs must match with the artifacts they have seen exhibited downstairs."

Mawangdui, which is located in the eastern suburbs of Changsha, capital of Hunan, is the location of the grand tombs of Li Cang, a nobleman also known as the Marquis of Dai during the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), and his wife and son.

The site rose to international attention in the 1970s when researchers opened a coffin and discovered a female corpse showing no signs of decay. The corpse, now preserved in the museum, was over 2,200 years old and is said to be that of Li's wife Xin Zhui, also known as Lady Dai.

More than 3,000 precious cultural artifacts have been excavated from the site, including intricately crafted lacquerware pieces and skillfully woven silk garments adorned with beautiful embroidery, all of which are housed in the museum.

Lacquerware jars unearthed from the Mawangdui Tombs are on display in the museum on May 13. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Now, the special performance, produced in collaboration with the Peking Opera Protection and Inheritance Center of Hunan, leads visitors on a journey through the site's vibrant history, placing the artifacts on center stage.

To ensure historical accuracy in depicting the life of Lady Dai, Chi drew on extensive research and consultation with museum experts.

The narrative focuses on her role as a devoted mother, raising her son and preparing him for battle.

Ge Qianqian, deputy director of the Peking Opera Protection and Inheritance Center of Hunan, said that performers would go back and forth to the museum displays to learn how to reproduce the correct expressions, mannerisms and movements based on ancient figurines. Their observations have been woven into the way they sing, recite and act during the performance.

According to the museum, the show makes use of 3D modeling and one-to-one replicas of artifacts to create most of its props, costumes and other elements. The costumes worn by the performers are closely based on ancient garments unearthed at the site, and were thoroughly examined by the museum's experts before being approved.

"I had just been to the tomb exhibition, so when I returned to see the play, Xin Zhui seemed more real to me. Her devotion to her kingdom was impressive," one college student remarked after watching the show.