Tourist watches shadow play performed by Zhou Wei on the historical Jinli Street in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 13, 2012. Zhou, a folk artist, has devoted himself to shadow play for dozens of years. Shadow play, also known as shadow puppetry, is a folk performing art originating in China. The puppets, made of processed cattle skins, are manipulated behind an illuminated backdrop to create the illusion of moving images. It is an art form combined with painting, carving and folk cartoons.

Zhou Wei makes a shadow play puppet in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 13, 2012.

Zhou Wei prepares prior to his shadow play performance in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 13, 2012.