On the evening of October 11, the dance drama Antique Beauty: National Treasures in Liaoning, co-created by the Liaoning Provincial Museum and the Liaoning Song and Dance Ensemble, was staged at the Centennial Hall of Peking University, attracting many teachers and students of this university to appreciate it.

The dance drama has drawn widespread attention since its premiere on May 18, 2025. The first round of performances in Liaoning, Fujian and Guangdong provinces caused a sensation, with the tickets instantly sold out, and its related topics on domestic social platforms received over 10 million views. The audience even praised it highly, saying that “every scene of it is a precious cultural memory”.

The dance drama Antique Beauty: National Treasures in Liaoning features 17 cultural relics selected from the rich and diverse collections of the Liaoning Provincial Museum, spanning from the Neolithic Age to the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, and covering calligraphy and painting works, and artifacts. Through a variety of performing forms, such as dance, folk instrumental music, and scene performances, it showcases the contours, charm, and artistic appeal of the cultural relics, and vividly depicts their profound cultural significance on stage, fostering the creative transformation and innovative development of China’s national treasures, and even traditional Chinese culture. Comprising four sections, including “Fragrance of Ink”, “Elegance of Painting”, “Subtlety of Instrumental Music” and “Splendor of Artifacts”, the dance drama uses national treasures as a medium, aiming to promote China’s outstanding traditional culture.

The Peking University students who watched the dance drama that evening rained praises on it, acclaiming it as a high-caliber stage drama with meticulously orchestrated programs and captivating performances. They thought that more importantly, the dance drama opens a window for the public to understand the precious cultural relics of the museum. Some international students among them also expressed their appreciation for the fascinating display of Chinese culture, saying that they look forward to visiting Liaoning during their next vacation to enjoy the museum’s national treasures firsthand.

Wang Xiaowen, director of the Liaoning Provincial Museum, stated that Peking University teachers and students were enthusiastic, and spoke highly of the dance drama. During its tour, the dance drama, centered on the museum’s national treasures, received widespread acclaim. With the integration of art, literature, museums, and cultural and creative products, it has injected new vitality into the cultural tourism industry in Liaoning.