Set in the northwestern Chinese city of Dunhuang, an oasis located at the edge of the Takla Makan Desert, Tales of the Silk Road tells an ancient story that resembles the ageless western classic Romeo and Juliet.[Photo/Xinhua]

A Chinese dance drama featuring a sad yet beautiful love story on the ancient Silk Road made its US debut in Lincoln Center on Thursday.

Set in the northwestern Chinese city of Dunhuang, an oasis located at the edge of the Takla Makan Desert, Tales of the Silk Road tells an ancient story that resembles the ageless western classic Romeo and Juliet.

The young couple, artist Mogao and his beloved Yueya, could not stay together because of the objection from Yueya's father, the Great General of Dunhuang. During a violent confrontation between the couple and the general, Yueya sacrificed her own life to save Mogao, and her body then transformed into an eternal spring running through the desert.

With great grief, Mogao carried on with his artistic journey and finished a marvelous mural on the wall of Mogao Caves, a treasure house of Buddhist art which is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site now.