Shadow puppetry props are displayed at the museum. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

A special exhibition titled Chinese Stories in Shadow Puppetry has opened at the Zhijiang Campus of the Zhejiang Provincial Museum in Hangzhou on Dec 30, bringing together nearly 700 sets of precious shadow puppets from across China and abroad.

As one of the largest exhibitions of its kind, it traces the thousand-year history of Chinese shadow puppetry through three sections. The exhibits, drawn from 20 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, showcase diverse regional styles and classic plays such as The White Snake and Romance of the Western Chamber.

A highlight is the display of more than 220 sets of Zhejiang shadow puppets, with a special focus on the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279), when Hangzhou (then Lin'an) emerged as a major center of the art form. Drawing on historical records, the exhibition illustrates the city's pivotal role in shaping China's first golden age of shadow puppetry.

The exhibition is accompanied by live performances and hands-on demonstrations by shadow puppetry troupes and intangible cultural heritage inheritors during major traditional festivals, offering visitors an immersive experience of this ancient art form.

The exhibition will run through March 8.

Shadow puppetry props are displayed at the museum. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]