URUMQI, May 29 (Xinhua) -- In northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, performers of the Twelve Muqams have helped keep the Uygur cultural heritage alive.
Known as the "Mother of Uygur Music," the Twelve Muqams comprises a group of classical music pieces combining Uygur song, dance and music. It is considered a treasure of Chinese ethnic music.
In Shache County, the local government has invested 5 million yuan (about 750,000 U.S. dollars) to build an art center dedicated to the Twelve Muqams.
Its main performance hall could hold hundreds of performers simultaneously.
Rehman Ablimit, director of the Muqam Heritage Center in Shache, devotes himself to passing on the cultural heritage.
Produced by Xinhua Global Service
