A farmer in Pingyao county, North China's Shanxi province, got his book published on Aug 27, the title of which is 'Ancient Pingyao's Opera Stage'.

The author, Hao Ruchun, born in 1949, has been a farmer all his life. Though he is not trained in literature or history, he has a great interest in them, and has got himself into professional circles, being a researcher at the drama institute in Shanxi province. Since he retired from farm work, Hao devotes all his time and energy to the collection, filing and research of cultural heritage in the county. His research ranges from ancient temples and architecture, to opera stages, tomb inscriptions, old dramas, and folk tales.

According to Hao's book, published by Beiyue Literature Arts Publishing House, there are 167 surviving opera stages of the Ming and Qing dynasties and the republican period of China, from the 14th to 20th centuries, and also 60 contemporary ones, ranking among the top in China.