National treasures come to life on TV show

In one episode, Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Ka-fai plays Northern Song Dynasty politician Sima Guang, who preserved a stone carved with hundreds of characters dating back to the Qin state during the Warring States Period. The stone had been lost and rediscovered several times before it was preserved by Sima.

In the episodes, experts also speak about the artifacts. Ordinary people are also invited on stage to share their stories linked to such relics.

"When people see cultural relics in this lively ways, they feel history," said Shan Jixiang, director of the Palace Museum.

Yu said the aim of the show is not so much to create a hit program but to attract more people to museums.