The unforgettable soft and melodious tunes of Kunqu opera, one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera, undulates across the old drama stage and through the receptive audience. The opera originated in the late Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) in nearby Kunshan and developed further during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Characterized by its dynamic structure and melody (kunqiang), it i has had a profound influence on opera forms such as Sichuan and Peking operas.[Photo/zhouzhuang.net]