Cui Youyou, 8, practices in front of a mirror before a performance on May 13. XU JINGBAI/FOR CHINA DAILY

Zhong Jingyan rehearses a turn before a performance on May 30, last year. XU JINGBAI/FOR CHINA DAILY

A troupe member is assisted in applying makeup on May 13. XU JINGBAI/FOR CHINA DAILY

Lu Wenjing sings an aria under an instructor's guidance on Oct 16. XU JINGBAI/FOR CHINA DAILY

Troupe members stretch during a training session on Oct 16. XU JINGBAI/FOR CHINA DAILY

Troupe members play during a break in training on Aug 22. XU JINGBAI/FOR CHINA DAILY

Members of the troupe do their homework during a break in a training session on Sept 10. XU JINGBAI/FOR CHINA DAILY

Xu Ziqing, a student of Xichang Primary School in Hai'an, Jiangsu province, stretches in the school Peking Opera troupe's rehearsal room on May 25, last year. XU JINGBAI/FOR CHINA DAILY