Peking Opera, as a classic art form, used to be the most popular form of entertainment in China. In the 19th century, it was the equivalent of today's pop music.  But now, it competes with film, theater, and many other forms of entertainment. While it has retreated from the daily lives of most Chinese, some young people are keeping this art alive and well in their own way. This Mid-Autumn Festival, a group of Peking Opera fans have decided to celebrate this cherished holiday by singing their favorite tunes.

Ma Yuedong, who goes by the English name Max, is a player of jinghu, a musical instrument used in Peking Opera. He explains that members of the Peking Opera Club are all fans of this art form.

"We are not (professionals). Some work in the bank, some are teachers, some are from the IT industry. Peking Opera is our hobby," Ma told CGTN.

Peking Opera enthusiasts relish this art form for its distinctive singing style. Through highly stylized vocal performances, percussive music and lyric poetry, Peking Opera tells compelling stories rooted in history and folklore.

In Peking Opera, there are many seasonal plays adapted for different holidays. For this Mid-Autumn Festival, Xu Mengran is performing a scene from "The Drunken Concubine." This tells the story of Yang Yuhuan, the beloved concubine of Emperor Xuanzong in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), who arranged a banquet in an imperial garden and waited for the emperor to show up.  

As a performing art rooted in Chinese literature, Peking Opera has inherited a wealth of symbolism related to the moon. Many catchy lyrics from some of the songs, which have become classics in their own right, are de facto odes to the moon.

"The moon evokes a strong sense of nostalgia for us Chinese, reminding us of our family," Yu Fangri, a Peking Opera enthusiast, explains. He adds that the moon was also a source of fascination for ancient Chinese, inspiring philosophical contemplation.

In the classic tunes of Peking Opera, these young Chinese sing to the moon and extend their best wishes for this traditional festival. While Peking Opera has a long way to go before it can be restored to its former glory, young people's appreciation for this time-honored art are boosting efforts to preserve it for future generations.