As lunchtime approaches, Sonam Tashi steps into a Tibetan restaurant in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, drawn by the enticing aroma of traditional dishes and a unique performance: a stage play about King Gesar, an ancient hero whose story is widely known on western China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

On stage, two storytellers and a female performer, adorned in exquisite Tibetan attire, are playing classic excerpts from the epic tale.

They even weave comedic elements into the narrative, bringing the ancient legend to life in a way that resonates with modern audiences.

Sonam Tashi has worked at the Gesar research center of the Xizang Autonomous Region Academy of Social Sciences since 2016. He is impressed by these storytellers who present the legend in such an innovative way.