NANJING, July 22 (Xinhua) -- An opera museum on 348 Chinese opera forms will be built in the city of Kunshan, east China's Jiangsu Province.

The foundation stone laying ceremony of the museum was held at the Chinese Opera Gala (Kunshan) 2019 that kicked off on Sunday.

The museum will cover a total area of about 10,000 square meters, with one main hall of 8,000 square meters and multiple venues on the old town streets.

The museum will serve as a place for exhibitions, performances as well as research and material storage.

"The museum will become one that has a full collection of all the 348 Chinese opera forms upon completion," said Zhou Xudong, mayor of Kunshan. "Kunshan, where the Kunqu Opera originated, will enhance the protection of Chinese opera with the museum as a platform."

The opera gala will last for 38 days, with performances presenting 112 Chinese opera forms such as Sichuan Opera and Huangmei Opera.