An animated series based on Buddhist stories from Gansu province is soon to be broadcast on TV, as emerging creative industries tap into ancient Chinese culture.

Legend of Dunhuang is a 12-episode series that will be screened on as-yet unconfirmed channels before the end of 2013. It is adapted from Buddhist artwork in the Mogao Grottoes, home to more than 2,000 colored sculptures and 45,000 square meters of frescoes in 735 caves carved along a cliff.

Six episodes that were put online in October 2007 have attracted a "whopping" number of clicks, according to Wu Qian, deputy general manager of the Lanzhou Nante digital technology group, producer of Legend of Dunhuang.