Ask a QuestionChina's national treasure originated right here in Beijing enjoying immense popularity among Chinese theatre-goers and holding great appeal to foreign audiences.
Peking 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.
With its unique combination of music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics, Peking Opera is an ideal medium for interpretation and performance of traditional and historic myth and legend.
Peking Opera
Beijing Opera is a form of traditional Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics. It enjoyed its greatest popularity beginning some two hundred years ago and was extremely popular in the Qing Dynasty court where it came to be regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China. Beijing opera features four main types of performers; with their elaborate and colourful costumes, performers are the only focal points on Beijing opera's characteristically sparse stage. They utilize the skills of speech, song, dance, and combat in movements that are symbolic and suggestive, rather than realistic. Above all else, their skill is evaluated according to the beauty of their movements. Performers also adhere to a variety of stylistic conventions that help audiences navigate the plot of the production. There are six main types of song lyrics in Beijing opera: emotive, condemnatory, narrative, descriptive, disputative, and "shared space separate sensations" lyrics. Each type uses the same basic lyrical structure, differing only in kind and degree of emotions portrayed. Costumes function to distinguish the rank of the character being played and generally feature brilliant colours and rich embroidery. If you have the photographic skills to capture movement and colour, a Beijing Opera performance will reward you with rich imagery.
Peking Opera
Peking Opera traces its roots to the late 18th century. In 1790, the "Four Great Anhui Troupes" (Sānqìng, Sìxǐ, Chūntái, Héchūn) came to Beijing to perform for Emperor Qianlong’s 80th birthday. This event marked the beginning of Peking Opera’s formation. Over time, Anhui opera artists blended elements from Han opera, Kunqu (a refined classical opera), and Qinqiang (Shaanxi opera), gradually developing a distinct style by the mid-19th century.
The late Qing Dynasty (late 19th century) saw Peking Opera’s golden age, with legendary performers like "The Thirteen Greats of the Tongzhi and Guangxu Eras." In the early 20th century, Mei Lanfang, one of China’s most famous Peking Opera masters, revolutionized the art by refining its techniques and introducing it to international audiences.
After 1949, Peking Opera was officially promoted as a key cultural heritage. In 2006, it was listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, and in 2010, UNESCO recognized it as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Peking Opera is renowned worldwide for its distinctive artistic conventions, which set it apart from Western theater. Unlike realistic drama, Peking Opera embraces stylization, symbolism, and a harmonious blend of multiple art forms. Below are its key artistic characteristics:
1. Symbolic Movements
Peking Opera relies heavily on symbolic gestures rather than elaborate stage sets. Since traditional performances often took place on simple wooden platforms, actors developed a system of codified movements to represent actions and environments. For example, a horsewhip held while walking in circles signifies riding a horse across great distances. A gentle rowing motion with an oar conveys traveling by boat. Opening an imaginary door by lifting a leg and pushing forward suggests entering a room. These movements are not random but follow strict traditions passed down through generations.
2. Strict Performance Conventions
Every aspect of Peking Opera—singing, speech, movement, and facial expressions—follows highly structured conventions. These rules ensure consistency while allowing room for individual artistry. Some well-known conventions include Qǐbà (起霸), a sequence of martial movements where a general prepares for battle by adjusting his armor, testing his weapons, and displaying his might; Zǒubiān (走边), a light, stealthy walk used when a character sneaks at night, often accompanied by soft drumbeats; and Shuǐxiù (水袖), the exaggerated flicking of long white sleeves (common in female roles) to express sorrow, anger, or excitement.
3. Integration of Multiple Arts
Peking Opera is not just acting—it is a synthesis of various art forms. The librettos are poetic, often drawing from classical Chinese novels and legends. The orchestra combines melodic instruments (jinghu, yueqin) and percussion (drums, gongs) to guide the rhythm of the performance. Movements are choreographed like dance, with flowing sleeves, precise footwork, and acrobatic combat. Fight scenes (wǔdǎ) incorporate techniques from Chinese kung fu, while elaborate costumes, makeup, and props contribute to the spectacle.
4. Aesthetic of Implication
Unlike Western theater’s pursuit of realism, Peking Opera embraces xieyi (写意), meaning "to write the idea." Instead of replicating reality, it suggests meaning through abstraction. A simple table can represent a mountain if the actor climbs onto it, while a black flag waved rapidly signifies a storm. A painted face instantly communicates a character’s personality (e.g., red for loyalty, white for treachery). This approach allows audiences to engage their imagination, making Peking Opera a deeply interactive experience.
5. Musical System
Peking Opera’s music is built on two primary vocal styles: Xīpí (西皮), which is lively, high-pitched, and often used for excited or heroic moments, and Èrhuáng (二黄), which is slower and more melancholic, suitable for sorrowful or reflective scenes. The orchestra consists of string instruments like the Jinghu (京胡, a high-pitched fiddle), erhu (二胡), and yueqin (月琴, a moon-shaped lute), along with percussion instruments such as drums (bangu), cymbals (bo), and gongs (luo) that mark dramatic beats and scene transitions.
Peking Opera categorizes its characters into four principal role types (hángdāng), which are Sheng, Dan, Jing, and Chou.
1. Shēng (生) – Male Roles: The Shēng roles represent male characters, typically heroic figures, officials, or noble scholars. These roles emphasize dignity, authority, and refined demeanor.
2. Dàn (旦) – Female Roles: The Dàn roles portray women, characterized by graceful movements and elaborate costumes. Performers emphasize elegance, emotion, and refined gestures.
3. Jìng (净) – Painted-Face Roles: Also called Huāliǎn ("flower-face"), these roles feature elaborate facial makeup symbolizing personality traits. They are often powerful, exaggerated characters with booming voices. Subtypes include:
4. Chǒu (丑) – Comedic Roles: The Chǒu roles are the clowns of Peking Opera, marked by a white patch on the nose. They provide comic relief while displaying wit and agility. Subtypes include:
Beijing Opera's facial makeup and costumes are distinguished by their vivid artistic characteristics. The makeup employs symbolic color combinations and patterns to portray a character's personality and fate—red signifies loyalty and courage, black represents integrity, white suggests treachery—with bold lines and contrasting hues creating striking visual impact.
Costumes follow strict stylized designs: embroidered robes (mangpao), armor (kao), and ceremonial capes (pei) use vibrant colors and intricate detailing to denote social status—emperors wear bright yellow with dragon motifs, generals don flags to convey authority, while female roles (dan) showcase elegance through flowing sleeves and ornate headdresses. This refined visual language achieves a "recognizable from afar, exquisite up close" theatrical effect, seamlessly blending traditional Chinese color symbolism with dramatic aesthetics.
Facial Makeup (Liǎnpǔ, 脸谱)
Costumes (Xíngtóu, 行头)
1. Mei Lanfang Grand Theatre (梅兰芳大剧院)
📍 Address: Southeast corner of Guanyuan Bridge, Xicheng District (near Xierhuan Rd & Ping'an Ave)
Highlights: Honoring Peking Opera legend Mei Lanfang, this modern venue showcases elite performers with occasional subtitles, ideal for first-time visitors.
2. Chang’an Grand Theatre (长安大戏院)
📍 Address: 7 Jianguomennei Ave, Dongcheng District (inside Guanghua Chang’an Building)
Highlights: A 1937 theater that mixes classic and modern opera, along with tea service, to give you a traditional theater experience.
3. Zhengyici Peking Opera Theater (正乙祠戏楼)
📍 Address: 220 Qianmen Xiheyan St, Xicheng District
Highlights: Built in 1717, Beijing’s oldest wooden theater immerses guests in Qing Dynasty ambiance with affordable ticket options.
4. National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) - Opera House (国家大剧院戏剧场)
📍 Address: 2 West Chang’an Ave, Xicheng District (near Tiananmen Square)
Highlights: Inside the iconic "Giant Egg," world-class acoustics frame Peking Opera alongside Western performances.
5. Liyuan Theatre (梨园剧场)
📍 Address: 175 Yong’an Rd, Xicheng District (inside Qianmen Jianguo Hotel)
Highlights: Beginner-friendly 1-hour shows with tea at octagonal tables, plus costume displays for photos.
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From $ 277
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