Guqin, a plucked seven-stringed zither is closely associated with traditional Chinese culture. These days, the instrument is gaining popularity in the auction market. A Guqin that is more than one thousand years old will go under the hammer at the Poly autumn sale.

Wu Zhao, director of China Guqin Association, played the millennium-old Guqin at the Thursday preview. Records show that the zither was particularly made for an emperor in the Song dynasty in 1120. It later landed in the Qing palace.

Wu Zhao, Director of China Guqin Association, said, "It's been quite a long time since this zither was played. But what's amazing is its sound quality is still very good."

Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty was so fond of the zither that he demanded a case be specially made for the zither, as well as a name carved on the back of the zither.

The zither is slated to be auctioned on Sunday, and it is estimated to fetch over 30 million yuan.