It's not always easy to picture the lives led by our ancestors thousands of years ago. Fortunately artists often delve back into the past to bring back long lost memories.

Central China's Hubei Province was offered a glimpse into its own artistic and cultural history with a splendid dance called Bells Resonate Around Chu. Based on the book Chuci, an ancient Chinese anthology of poems, the dance premiered in the provincial capital Wuhan last Saturday.

Over one thousand years ago, Hubei Province was known as the kingdom of "Chu".

The Hubei Provincial Song and Dance Troupe has always been interested in tracing the province's cultural and artistic past. After putting its Dance Accompanied by Serial Bells on national stages, the company has come up with another large performance exploring life, war and culture during the prosperous Chu period.

The Chu people were fond of black, red and gold. The sets and lighting integrate the three colors in an attempt to create a brilliant yet unsophisticated ambience. The more than 400 gorgeous ornaments cost a fortune but help form a vivid historical picture.

(CCTV.com September 10, 2003)