Province puts money where its operatic mouth is

She rents and sells Han attire and offers a makeup service for photo shoots.

"Many people come here during holidays," she says.

Over the Labor Day holiday from May 1 to 5 she had takings of 20,000 yuan, she says. "It's a surprise to see such a traditional culture reflected so well in real life."

After being peppered with questions by customers, Liang has made a point of studying Han costume culture. "While learning, I have been intrigued by the profound cultural heritage," she says.

"Henan culture is extensive and profound," Xinhua News Agency quoted Shi Jiazhen, head of the Longmen Grottoes Research Institute, as saying.

"In the vast history of thousands of years, cultural relics are the witness of civilization. However, the extension of cultural relics is very limited, and it's necessary to strive for top expression to maintain our superb culture."

Shi called for continued exchange and dialogue with young people as a way of respecting and promoting history.