Peking Opera

Peking Opera as China's national essence, has more than 200 years history of its development. "Peking Opera" is also named as “oriental musical”, for both of them are the unique combination of singing, dancing, music, painting and literature. They developed to special form of modern art within different cultural backgrounds between eastern and western.

Opera is also traced the source to the place of several ancient drama. In the early Qing Dynasty, Kunqu and other local dramas play an important role in Beijing theatres. Troupe from Anhui and Hubei began to perform in Beijing at the end of Qianlong Dynasty and Doguang Dynasty respectively, in which way making great contribution to the development of the Peking Opera. Peking Opera integrates the essence of local dramas such as Kunqu from Jiangsu, Bangzi from Hebei, and at the same time, it is becoming more and more Beijing localization in terms of its dialogue and tones and so on. Today, Peking Opera is the integration of a number of national inventions, and it has been an sophisticated art.

Peking Opera facial types is a kind of unique facial make-up, depending on the different characters, depositions and destiny of roles. According to the colour of facial types, red refers to complimentary sense, representing warriors such as Guanyu, Jiangwei and Chang Yuchun; Black one refers to integrity and reckless such as Baozheng, Zhangfei anf Lilin and so on; Yellow one is the representation of vicious cruelty while the white facial make-up represents treacherous villain such as Caocao and Zhaogao; blue face and green face refer to the irritable characters while golden and silver face are the symbols of mysterious demon god. Apart from colour, mask is also very particular about the outline, which is divided into three types: rubbing face, clean face and hook face. Role can also be divided into Health (men), Dan (woman), net (men), ugly (men and women both) four. Zhongjian of the characters, Beauty and Ugliness of the points, good and evil of the points.

Peking opera is approved by the State Council included in the first batch of state-level intangible cultural heritage. It’s unique vocal style and strong Chinese characteristics attract lots of opera fans both from domestic and abroad. Therefore,it is one of the must to do thing in Beijing.

Chang An Grand Theatre -Top National Essence Performance

Chang'an Grand Theatre which was built in 1937, is located on the north side of east Changan avenue and it is a high-end, luxury, and comfortable modern theatre. Theatre can accommodate 800 people, it retains the old flavour of the national cinema art style with modern stage facilities. Theatre has nearly 70-year old history of cinema, and there is tourist night opera performances and also traditional Peking Opera over the weekend. A large number of well-known actors such as Li Shi-ji,Li Wei-kang, Yu Kui-chi, Meng Lu, Sheng Su, Zhang Jin, Zhao Baoxiu, Wang Rongrong, etc. will debut one after another.

Address: Jian Guo Men Alley 7

Mei-Lanfang Grand Theater – Full of Boutique

Mei-Lanfang Grand Theatre is the perfect combination of traditional and modern arts, with the multi-function of performance, exhibitions, conferences and other social celebrities. Grand Theatre's acoustic is designed by the first-class experts. There are not only national operas in Grand Theatre, but also opera, drama, plays and musicals from home and abroad, such as “Oliver Twist” from UK.

Address: Ping An Li Alley 32, Xinchen district

National Centre for the Performing Arts - the Combination of Tradition and Modern

National Centre is located to the west of Tiananmen Square and Great Hall of the People, and to the south of Chang'an Avenue. Grand Theatre is designed by the French architect Paul Andreu, and it has the world's largest dome. Grand Theatre is unique and innovative with the combination of tradition and modern. National Centre is divided into opera house, concert hall and theatre. Opera house is the most magnificent building, and the main performances are opera, ballet and dance; concert hall features the world's largest organ, mainly holding symphony performances, ethnic music and concerts; Theatre has the world's most dramatic stage, and is mainly used to perform drama, opera and local plays.

Address: Chanan Jie 2,Xichen district

Hu Guang Hall - Oriental Culture Show

Hu Guang Hall is located in the Xuanwu District with the oriental cultural characteristics, and it is the world's top ten wooden structure building. Founded in 1807, it currently has nearly 200 years of history. The Hall was the former residence of celebrities in Qing dynasty, and after the history of the wind and rain, the appearance gradually lost its past glory. However, the redevelopment project of Hall is announced to be completed in April 1996.

The Hall after the renovation has maintained a nostalgic old architectural styles, and it has became a beautiful scenery line in Beijing city with its strong historical and cultural taste. There are Subtitles of other languages for the plays which provides great convince to the foreign travellers. Today the Hu Guang Hall is the gathering places for the traditional Chinese culture. Making great contribution to promoting the Chinese culture.

Address: Hu Fang Road 3, Xuan Wu district

Lao She Tea House - Multifunction Tea-House

Lao She Tea House which is built in 1988, is named after the well-known Chinese artist “Lao She”. The overall structure of Teahouse is followed by the raditional Beijing courtyard, in which visitors not only can appreciate the profound tea, but also be able to understand the temperament of the capital. There are opera, folk art, acrobatics, comic, magic, comic and so on every night.

Address: Qian Men Xi Alley, Xuan Wu district

There are many places to be able to appreciate opera and other cultural and artistic performances in Beijing, such as Peking National Opera Company Experimental Theatre, Beijing University Centenary Auditorium and many others. You must be complicated by Beijing's traffic and confused by the choice of tourist attraction and accommodation in Beijing.Gift-Tours offers the information of accommodation you will need for your travel in Beijing.

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