MACAO, March 18, 2009 -- An exhibition called "The Dragon's Stage: Chinese Opera Artifacts from the Palace Museum" has closed in Macao, after three months. The exhibition was extremely popular with people from all walks of life.

The exhibition showcased 180 items from Beijing's Palace Museum. It included costumes, stage props, musical instruments and engravings.

The exhibition covered the development of royal court opera in the Qing Dynasty. And people in Macao had the chance to learn about one of the most stunning intangible cultures of China.

And there was another exhibit, called "Sound and Imagery: An Exploratory Exhibition of Chinese Opera". It explained the origin, development and types of traditional Chinese operas.

Chinese opera played a crucial role in entertainment for the imperial family. And the art reached its zenith in the Qing Dynasty.