The Butterfly Lovers, Liang Shanbo (梁山伯) and Zhu Yungtai’s (祝英台) tragic love story, is one of the four great folklores of China and the only one to have earned world acclaim as the counterpart to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In 2006 it was listed as one of China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritages.

In ancient times girls were forbidden to go to school but, Zhu Yungtai, a rebellious girl, manages to persuade her father and disguises as a boy to study in Wansong Academy. There she meets Liang Shanbo, a poor student, who does not realize that she is a girl and in turn becomes like a brother to her.

After three years together Zhu Yingtai falls in love with Liang Shanbo but later has to return home, however before departure she indicates her love for Liang Shanbo, but he doesn’t catch on. It is not until Liang Shanbo pays a visit to her family that he knows the truth and then realises his love for Zhu Yingtai. He asks her parents' permission to marry her but is refused as, under her parent’s arrangement, she is already engaged with another man.

Liang Shanbo is heartbroken to hear such news and dies of depression. Knowing this, Zhu Yingtai jumps into Liang Shanbo’s grave on her wedding day and the two become a pair of butterflies flying off together happily ever after.

(Executive Editor: Lubin WANG)