A display of women's headwear from Peking Opera. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Peking Opera is a form of traditional Chinese opera that dates back 200 years, and combines a variety of arts, including singing, dancing, martial arts and acting.

In 2010, it was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Peking Opera costume accessories on display. [Photo provided to China Daily]

To popularize it among young people, the China National Peking Opera Company has announced a project to make products that appeal to young people, such as cartoon images, animations and videos, based on classic Peking Opera characters in tandem with cartoonist Deng Yu and Beijing-based company, JY Animation.

"Movies, musicals and dance dramas are popular with Chinese audiences, especially young people. We hope that the new project will allow this ancient art form to reach a wider audience," says Wang Yong, president of the China National Peking Opera Company.

Classic Peking Opera characters have been turned into cartoon images to appeal to the young. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Characters from Peking Opera have already been turned into cartoon characters and have been introduced via online platforms, Wang says.

All the characters are drawn strictly according to their original images, down to their costumes and headdresses.

According to Wang, the company will also introduce the new project to young people by staging performances at universities around the country.

Wang Yong, president of the China National Peking Opera Company. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Peking Opera takes on a modern look. [Photo provided to China Daily]