Zhang Xiangdong (left), head of Changli Xiangdong Shadow Play Troupe, from Hebei province, put on an act of Journey to the West with his colleague Liu Shanjie. [China Daily]

On a white shadow wall of translucent canvas, the Monkey King was fighting with Princess Iron Fan and her husband, the Ox King. Their dazzling kungfu captivated the audience. Suddenly the classic scene from the novel Journey to the West changed tone and, to the accompaniment of stirring Spanish music, the Monkey King became a bullfighter, holding a red cloth in front of the Ox King.

The shadow play was performed at the National Art Museum of China and showcased 481 shadow puppets from the museum's collection.

Originating some 2,000 years ago, shadow plays have even assumed the role of Chinese cultural ambassador to other countries such as Egypt and France, and the art form was included in China's first State-level intangible cultural heritage list in 2006.

"The 47 groups of 481 exhibits are the most representative ones selected from our 17,000 shadow puppet collection," said Guan Hong, director of the exhibition. "It features major schools of shadow play, from Beijing, Hebei, Shaanxi and Liaoning."

The exhibition was divided into three themes: figures, objects and plays, to reveal the many crafts and skills involved in the art form such as puppets, props, tools, instruments, videos and live shows, said Guan.