Regal romance between Tibetans and Han

Soprano Wang Li portrays Princess Wencheng in the drama. Photo provided to China Daily

Princess Wencheng begins with the scene of a Tibetan envoy taking Songtsan Gampo's marriage proposal to the princess's father, emperor Li Shimin, and ends by showing how she earns the love and respect of the Tibetan people following her marriage.

Besides Tibetan folk singing, dancing and traditional operas, the show also features monks chanting, taking audiences back to around 1,300 years prior.

The drama is directed by Mei Shuaiyuan, who introduced the concept of the highly-acclaimed Impression series - shows with large-scale open-air performances and real landscape settings.

Princess Wencheng was staged at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing two years ago. Wang also performed at that show.

But she says the outdoor stage, a part of the 25,000-square meter village area and capable of holding nearly 1,000 performers, was overwhelming, especially owing to the stunning scenery.

"It was breathtaking when I performed with the Potala Palace in front of me, surrounded by mountains and underneath a starry sky," Wang says.

The Potala Palace is perhaps the most-recognized Tibetan landmark, which the king built for his queen. The story of their romance has been adapted into movies, novels and operas.

Wang says that she wants to focus on the human side of her role in it.