This combo photo taken on May 14, 2026 shows villagers in costumes preparing for a performance in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province.

When the gongs crash and the drums sound at dusk, Dixi opera lovers in Zhangzhuang Village get together after their daily work to practice Dixi. They are composed of farmers, construction workers, security guards, drivers and merchants. They wear masks and costumes in vibrant colors and strike poses to the rhythm of ancient verses. Their lifelong passion helps preserve this art form and pass it down to the next generations.

Dixi opera is a folk drama popular among locals and has been hailed a "living fossil" of Chinese opera due to its rich legacy and vitality. In 2006, it was listed as one of the first batch of national intangible cultural heritages. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers performing Dixi opera pose for a group photo in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers talk with each other when rehearsing Dixi opera in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

A villager walks to a square to rehearse Dixi opera in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers rehearse Dixi opera in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers walk past an ancient alley when rehearsing Dixi opera in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers walk past a cole field when rehearsing Dixi opera in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers talk with each other before rehearsing Dixi opera in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers rehearse Dixi opera at night in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

A villager puts on a mask before rehearsing Dixi opera in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

A villager rides a motorcycle to rehearse Dixi opera in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 13, 2026 shows villagers rehearsing Dixi opera in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers rehearse Dixi opera at night in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

A book of lyrics of Dixi opera preserved by three generations from a family is shown in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers walk past a cole field when rehearsing Dixi opera in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers rehearse Dixi opera in a cole field in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Masks used by villagers when rehearsing Dixi opera are pictured in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 14, 2026 shows a view of Wujiatun in Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers rehearse Dixi opera in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers arrange a mask before rehearsing Dixi opera in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers rehearse Dixi opera in a cole field in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers arrange masks for each other before rehearsing Dixi opera in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

A villager beats the drum when rehearsing Dixi opera in Wujiatun of Zhangzhuang Village, Qiyanqiao Town of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

This combo photo shows senior artist Xu Qifeng in costume of Dixi opera preparing for a performance on May 14, 2026 (above) and Xu Qifeng (R) pouring water for his wife at home on May 13, 2026 (below) in Zhangzhuang Village of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

This combo photo shows villager Yan Zhangshou in costume of Dixi opera preparing for a performance on May 14, 2026 (above) and Yan Zhangshou posing for a photo in front of the doorkeeper's office on May 13, 2026 (below) in Zhangzhuang Village of Anshun City of southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

This combo photo shows villager Hu Yongyu in costume of Dixi opera preparing for a performance on May 14, 2026 (above) and Hu Yongyu cleaning henhouse on May 13, 2026 (below) in Zhangzhuang Village, Anshun City of southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

This combo photo shows villager Xu Yuhui in costume of Dixi opera preparing for a performance on May 14, 2026 (above) and Xu Yuhui harvesting cole in a field on May 13, 2026 (below) in Zhangzhuang Village of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

This combo photo shows villager Xu Zhenxiang (L) and his wife in costumes of Dixi opera preparing for a performance on May 14, 2026 (above) and Xu Zhenxiang (L) and his wife selling tea leaves at a market on May 14, 2026 (below) in Zhangzhuang Village of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

This combo photo shows villager Tao Yong in costume of Dixi opera preparing for a performance on May 14, 2026 (above) and Tao Yong working as a construction worker on May 13, 2026 (below) in Zhangzhuang Village of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

This combo photo shows villager Wang Xiaohui in costume of Dixi opera preparing for a performance on May 14, 2026 (above) and Wang Xiaohui driving a forklift to transport cargo at a logistics center on May 15, 2026 (below) in Anshun City of southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

This combo photo shows village official Xu Laojin in costume of Dixi opera preparing for a performance on May 14, 2026 (above) and Xu Laojin (L) working with his colleague at an office on May 13, 2026 (below) in Zhangzhuang Village of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)