Audience gets into character

The museum has also relaxed one of its long-standing rules: Opera costumes were once considered "objects to be viewed, not touched". Now visitors can wear them as part of the experience.

Packages start at 480 yuan ($71.6) and include traditional opera makeup, an introduction to role types, costume fitting and a photo session on the historic opera stage.

"For young people, this experience is far more engaging than simply sitting in a theater and watching a show," says Zhang Chunli, director of the Dian Opera Museum.

"At first we all worried that young people wouldn't like Dian Opera, but my grandfather never doubted it," Zhang Ke says. "Facts have proved he was right — people of different generations will fall in love with traditional culture in their own unique ways."