A wide range of impressive opera shows are performed on the main stage in Jiushan Shuhui on Feb 5. [Photo/66wz.com]

The host of this year's Spring Festival Opera Gala – produced outdoors in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province for the first time in its 33-year history – has boosted the confidence of the eastern Chinese city in promoting its Southern Opera overseas.

Wenzhou is the birthplace of Southern Opera, the earliest mature opera art form in Chinese history.

A wide range of impressive opera shows were performed on Feb 5, the Lantern Festival, on the main stage in Jiushan Shuhui, where China's earliest existing complete opera play, Zhang Xie Zhuang Yuan, was compiled.

The shows attracted hundreds of people, not only local residents, but also cultural promoters, Wenzhou natives living overseas, foreign students, and overseas Chinese students.

Foreigners who are interested in traditional Chinese culture put on several opera shows, while Hu Xinyu, a sixth-grade student, greatly impressed spectators with her proficiency and elegant postures.

Hu has been honored as the representative of young opera performers in Zhejiang province. She has also won the title of "Little Plum Blossom", the top honor for young opera actors in China.