Zhang Zongyi, one of China’s most famed Monkey King performers, has died. Known by his stage name ’Liulingtong’, Zhang was a master of the 200-year-old Shaoxing opera. Zhang was dubbed the "Monkey King of the South", for his vivid and acrobatic performances of the rascally monkey king.
In 1961 Zhang preformed for the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong and other top state leaders. Zhang is survived by his son Zhang Jinlai, who followed in his father’s footsteps and also became a household name in China. He was known as "LiuXiaoLingTong".
Zhang Zongyi passed away at his hometown of Shaoxing in east China. He was 90 years old.