The life of Sissi

The show Sissi and Hungary reveals the life of the legendary queen in the 19th century. The relics on display also show the connection between China and Hungary in olden times. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

"We are unique in Europe due to our Eastern origin," Vagra says. "The exhibits this time like armories also show some Eastern characteristics."

Szonja Buslig, a cultural counselor at the Hungarian embassy in Beijing, says the exhibition at the Palace Museum reveals a part of the larger cultural cooperation between China and Hungary.

In the Xiongnu city's ruins in Yulin in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, archaeologists from both countries are doing comparative studies on findings there with Hun relics unearthed in Hungary.

Hungarian scholars also recently conducted field research in Shandan county, Gansu province, to look for more evidence of links.

"After a start from such a familiar topic (Sissi), we're planning another major cultural-relic exhibition in China," Buslig says. "It will reveal how our ancestors migrated from the East."

She reveals that Hungary will participate in more projects in an upcoming museum on Xiongnu history in Yulin.

Hungary became the first European country to sign a memorandum of understanding with China on June 6, 2016, on the Belt and Road Initiative.