Puppet shows in China have an amazing history stretching back two thousand years. Puppetry combines the different art forms of drama, singing, dancing, music, painting and sculpture. Like Peking Opera, the shows are based on folk tales and the like, and are very charming to watch, even if you don't speak Chinese. There are shadow puppet shows as well as marionette type puppets. The main keepers of the ancient art of puppetry are the members of the China Puppet Show Artistic Troupe.

Founded in1951, the Central Symphony Orchestra is one of the few orchestras which can offer a full repertoire from George F. Handel to Peter Tchaikovsky. The orchestra performs symphony concerts in Beijing Concert Hall every week. In addition, the Beijing Symphony Orchestra is a rising star in the field of western music. There are now several special orchestras and chamber groups (i.e. the Youth Symphony and the China All-Women Orchestra), which offer a rich variety of classical western music. The Beijing Concert Hall holds many world-level concerts all year round. For listings, dial 6605-7006.

Chinese acrobatic troupes have traveled to many countries around the world and have amazed audiences everywhere. The usual tourist reaction to a Chinese acrobatics show is something like "whoa! that was so...." You are not sure what to say. The contortions and balancing acts are quite incredible and sometimes seem almost superhuman, or super rubber human. You will be at the edge of your seat through most of the show saying "don't fall, don't drop it!" And incredibly, they never do.

There are a couple of national-class troupes that perform music and dance from various parts of China. In recent years, overseas visitors have been impressed by the Royal Song and Dance performed by the Beijing Song and Dance Troupe.

Foreign visitors may be surprised to find that they can find the Sleeping Beauty, Madame Butterfly or Carmen in Beijing. The Central Ballet and Opera Theater is renowned for the quality and talent of its ballet dancers, its symphony orchestra and Western opera shows. The China Opera Theater is another well-known art troupe who puts on Chinese operas with a mixed singing method of Italian bel canto and traditional Chinese singing.

Unlike other art forms, modern drama has only a 70-year history in China. The most famous theater in Beijing is the People's Art Theater. This theater puts on plays based on ancient Chinese stories as well as Chinese adaptations of Western drama. The Experimental Theater in Mao'er Hutong is also an excellent place to watch plays. There are now some very good plays written by Chinese playwrights.