Zdenek Sklenar and his collection of Asian antiques [Photo provided to China Daily]

One of the Monkey King's magical powers, as described in the novel, is his ability to transform into 72 creatures and objects.

Sklenar's series has been hailed in China as the "73rd transformation of the Monkey King".

But the Monkey King was not the only gain for Sklenar during his three-month stay in China in 1955.

As a member of a visiting delegation from former Czechoslovakia, Sklenar participated in an expo showing the achievements of socialist society in Beijing and Shanghai. He also seized the opportunity to explore the country's artistic and cultural heritage, something he had wanted to do even as a student.

In his memoir, Sklenar wrote that his professor, Karel Sourek, had ignited his interest in Chinese culture and suggested that he buy two books on Chinese art history, which cost him the bulk of his monthly living expenses back then. And while the books hit Sklenar's wallet, he wrote, they gave him much pleasure throughout his life.