Traditional Jin Opera revived in Pingyao, a jewel of Shanxi

Jia Weiping, 58, a performer of Jin Opera, has stayed home in Pingyao Old Town, Shanxi province, for most of his life. But he said he has been able to see the world through tourists thanks to Pingyao being named a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1997.

Jia and 14 others, mostly in their 50s and 60s, were employed by the government to start a Jin Opera troupe, and for nearly 20 years the company has presented a popular story, County Magistrate Settles Lawsuit. Local scriptwriters created the play using Pingyao in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) as the backdrop. Jia stars as the county magistrate.

Every year, one in every three of Pingyao's nearly 13 million visitors from home and abroad see the play.