A Rugao rod puppet show is staged at the theater of the Linggong School in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, on May 24. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

A Rugao rod puppet show was staged at the theater of the Linggong School in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, on May 24.

The show started with the puppet dance Joy Song, followed by performances such as Monkey King and Li Kui Coming Down the Mountain.

During the performance, performers also briefly taught audiences fun facts about the puppet show, including marionettes, rod puppets and bag puppets.

The Rugao rod puppet show has a history of over 200 years.

Established in 1954, the Rugao puppet art troupe is a unit for the preservation of Rugao rod puppet shows – a Jiangsu provincial intangible cultural heritage item.

In the 70 years since its establishment, the troupe has staged over 100 puppet shows and has won awards in international and domestic art events.

The troupe has performed in countries such as France, Russia, Romania, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore.