Ask a QuestionBeijing is the capital of history and culture in China. There are a variety of featured performances putting on every day. Beijing Opera is a traditional style of Chinese theatre performance and is regarded as the quintessence of Chinese culture, enjoying a history of more than 200 years. The local usually watch Beijing Opera in theatre, they can even play by themselves at home sometimes. Do you know where to see the Peking Opera in Beijing? In the following, some famous Beijing Opera theatres will be introduced to you. If you are the first time to come to Beijing and are interested in Beijing Opera, you will find some useful information here.
• Address: Qianmen Hotel, 175 Yong'an Lu, Xuanwu District, Beijing
• Show Time: 19:30 daily (last for 1.5 hours)
• How to get there: take bus No.6, 15, 822 and get off at Yong’an Road
Li Yuan Theater is one of the most famous opera houses that put on the performance of Peking Opera. It is the first teahouse-style theatre in Beijing. The decoration of the stage is of antique beauty. The whole house is full of Peking Opera atmosphere. It offers Chinese tea and fruit during the show time. Guests can taste the Chinese tea and local flavor snack while enjoying the performance. As a famous venue for Peking Opera performance, Li Yuan theatre receives numerous foreign visitors every year.
• Add: 220 xiheyuan Dajie, Xuanwu District, Beijing
• Show Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
• How to get there: take bus No.14, 15, 22, 25, 44, 45, 48 and get off at Hepingmen Station
Zheng Yici Opera Theatre is the oldest Peking Opera theatre with well-preserved wooden structure. After restoration, it is a living fossil of Chinese opera theatres now. Mei Lanfang, who is a Grandmaster of Peking Opera in China, used to play in this theatre. as one of he most romantic Peking Opera theatre in Beijing, delightful Peking Opera shows are put on in this historic site every night.
• Add: 3 Hufang Road, Xuanwu District, Beijing
• Show Time: 7:15ppm – 8:45pm
• How to get there: Take Subway Line 7 and get off at Hufangqiao Station, then walk 5 minutes.
Hu Guang Hui Guan Opera Theatre is not only a Peking Opera theatre in this city, but also the first Opera Museum in Beijing. Originally built in 1807, it boasts one of the oldest Peking Opera theatres in Beijing with more than 200 years’ history. Recently, after reconstruction, guests are able to enjoy the traditionally Peking Opera and the history and development of Chinese in this antique house.
Beijing Huguang Guild Hall is located near Hufangqiao in Xicheng District. It's very accessible—close to a metro station and has parking areas outside. What makes this place particularly special is that it's recognized as one of the four great wooden theaters in the world. It also holds the distinction of being the first guild hall to be restored to its original layout and opened to the public. While the venue isn't particularly large, its architecture is full of character and cultural warmth. Visitors can explore three main areas: The Grand Theater, the Museum and the Café.
• Address: West 32 Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
• Show Time: 7:30pm
• How to get there: Take Subway Line 4 or 6 and get off at Ping’anli Station (Exit C).
Mei Lan Fang Grand Theatre is named after Mei Lan Fang, a great master of Peking Opera. The design of the theatre and the hall, together with the facilities, is filled with Chinese features and original creativity. Except for the Peking Opera shows every night, there also put on foreign dance dramas, modern dramas and concerts.
• Add: No.7 Juangguomennei Avenue, Beijing
• Show Time: 7:15pm – 8:45pm
• How to get there: Take Subway Line 1 and get off at Jianguomen Station (Exit C).
Originally constructed in 1937, Chang’an Grand Opera House is a well-know time-honored Peking Opera theatre in Beijing. It was reconstructed in 1996, and the new building of the theatre combines the modern architectural art with the classical national architectural style. It mainly puts on Chinese traditional dramas.
To cater to international tourists, the theatre collaborates with leading Peking Opera troupes to present specially curated performances that are easier for foreign audiences to appreciate. These shows often feature synchronized English and Chinese subtitles, ensuring visitors can fully grasp the storyline. In addition to its nightly tourist-friendly performances, the theatre also stages traditional Peking Opera classics every Saturday afternoon.
• Add: 88 Wangfujing Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing (7th Floor, Jixiang Building)
• How to get there: Take Subway Line 8 and get off at Jinyu Hutong Station (Exit B).
Established in 1906, Jixiang Theatre is a historic venue that seamlessly blends tradition and modernity. After a major renovation in July 2021, it became Beijing's first "Sky Opera House." In addition to its captivating opera performances, the theatre also offers a range of cultural experiences, including the "Jixiang Coffee" cultural cafe and the "Beijing Gifts" shop, where visitors can purchase affordable opera-themed souvenirs like folding fans, masks, and figurines. The theatre's cultural corridor further enhances the experience, showcasing traditional costumes, props, and intricate clay figurines, allowing visitors to explore the rich history of Chinese opera up close.
• Add: 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing
• How to get there: Take Subway Line 1 and get off at Tian'anmen West Station (Exit C).
The National Centre for the Performing Arts is a landmark cultural building in Beijing, nicknamed "The Giant Egg" due to its distinctive oval titanium shell. As China's premier performing arts venue, it houses an opera house, concert hall, and theater. The theater is specially designed for traditional Chinese opera performances like Peking Opera, featuring modern sound and lighting equipment while preserving traditional stage characteristics. It regularly presents both classic and contemporary Peking Opera productions.
In addition to Peking Opera, visitors can enjoy various performing arts including opera, ballet, and symphony concerts. You can also explore the underwater corridor, art galleries, and cultural creative shops inside the building, or attend art lectures in public spaces.
• Add: 74 Huguo Temple Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
• Show Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
• How to get there: Take Subway Line 1 or 4 and get off at Xidan Station (Exit C).
The Beijing People's Theater is located at No. 74 Huguo Temple Street in Xicheng District. Built in 1953, it was one of the first modern opera performance venues in New China. Its architecture blends classical and contemporary aesthetics, with a brick-red façade and a traditional Xieshan-style roof adorned with 'dove' ridge ornaments (symbolizing peace), showcasing unique cultural significance. Inside, the theater retains a traditional stage layout, with the audience seats only three meters from the stage, offering an immersive viewing experience.
After reopening in 2023, the theater has been repositioned as a multifunctional arts space. It now serves as the resident venue for the China National Peking Opera Company and a filming base for the 'Chinese Peking Opera Image and Sound Archive Project,' regularly staging both classic and newly adapted Peking Opera productions.
Beyond Peking Opera, the theater also hosts other traditional Chinese operas, theatrical performances, and artistic training programs. Visitors can explore the Peking Opera Art Exhibition Hall, browse the cultural souvenir shop, or participate in art lectures and play-sharing sessions. Interactive installations like the 'Time Photo Studio' in the lobby provide personalized experiences for audiences.
• Add: 18 Zhushikou West Street, Dongcheng District
• Show Time: Usually 7:30pm–9:00pm
• How to get there: Take Subway Line 7 and get off at Zhushikou Station.
Tianleyuan Theatre, first documented in 1785, is one of the oldest surviving traditional opera houses in Beijing, with a legacy spanning over two centuries. Located in the historic Xianyukou area just outside Zhengyangmen, it has undergone several transformations under different names, including Hualeyuan and Dazhong Theatre. This iconic venue has played a vital role in the development of Peking Opera—Mei Lanfang made his debut here, Cheng Yanqiu rose to fame on its stage, and China’s first all-female Peking Opera troupe, Chongya Society, was founded here.
Today, the revitalized Tianleyuan Theatre serves as a Peking Opera-themed cultural experience center. In addition to traditional performances, it hosts innovative productions such as the multimedia-enhanced opera "Taking the Stage" (亮相) and regularly features themed exhibitions of Peking Opera artifacts. It is an ideal destination for visitors seeking both authentic and modern interpretations of this treasured Chinese art form.
• Add: Binhe South Road, City Green Heart Forest Park, Tongzhou District, Beijing
As one of Beijing’s newest cultural landmarks, the Beijing Arts Centre combines stunning architectural design with a dynamic range of artistic offerings. The building’s design masterfully blends traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern elements, creating an elegant and visually captivating venue.
While it does host traditional Peking Opera performances, the centre distinguishes itself with a wide variety of shows, including musicals, contemporary dance, family-friendly productions, and more. This diversity caters to a broad audience and particularly appeals to younger generations seeking modern interpretations of performing arts.
The venue is also praised for its high-quality facilities—comfortable seating, excellent acoustics, and a welcoming environment all contribute to a premium viewing experience. Compared to more traditional opera venues like Liyuan Theatre or Chang’an Grand Theatre, the Beijing Arts Centre may be located farther from central landmarks like Tiananmen Square and lacks a strictly traditional atmosphere. However, its superior amenities, professional service, and variety of artistic programs make it a top choice for those looking for a more modern and inclusive cultural experience.
► Related information: Things to do in Beijing
► Recommended Beijing tour: 4 Days Best Beijing Tour
(Attraction: Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall, Changling Tomb)
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