Princess Wencheng will hit the stage in Lhasa, the capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on August 1.

The show made its debut at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing last October, and will be back in Lhasa with a groundbreaking performance in an open-air theater. Organizers plan to put on as many as 180 shows every year.

Princess Wencheng tells the tale of the daughter of a Tang dynasty Emperor and her marriage to Tibetan King Songtsan Gambo, a historic union which has symbolised peace and prosperity for both lands.

The year is 640 A.D.. The Tang Dynasty is enjoying a golden era. Ambassadors from far-away places converge at Chang'an, today's Xi'an, to offer their respects and best wishes to the Tang Emperor. Among them is the Tibetan King's envoy, bringing a marriage proposal. It's a marriage that would bring peace and prosperity to both the Tang and Tibet.

Sixteen-year-old Princess Wencheng accepts the proposal and embarks on the long journey from Chang'an to Lhasa, a journey symbolic of her transformation from a girl to a queen.

The road takes the princess through sand and snow, through water and mountains, and finally brings her to the King of Tibet, who builds the Potala Palace for her. The palace remains one of the most recognised landmarks in Tibet today.

The stage is set right across the river. Performed on the plateau at an altitude of 3,750 meters, the record-breaking performance involves 600 actors from all parts of Tibet. The open-air theater can host more than 4,000 spectators.

"This might be the best of all the plays that I've done. The story is great and has the kind of power to impress both your eyes and your heart," said Mei Shuaiyuan, director of Princess Wencheng.

(CNTV.cn July 29, 2013)