Hailed as "a quintessential treasure of Chinese culture," Peking Opera is the country's most influential form of traditional Chinese opera. It boasts a standardized artistic expression across all facets, including literature, performance, music, and stage design.

The Peking Opera performance system, named after the legendary master Mei Lanfang, stands as a prime example of Eastern theatrical performance and is recognized as one of the world's three major theatrical systems. In 2010, UNESCO inscribed Peking Opera onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

A Guide to Immersing Yourself in Peking Opera Culture

1. Mei Lanfang Theatre

Located at the southeast corner of Guanyuan Bridge in Xicheng District, Beijing, Mei Lanfang Theatre is a specialized venue named after the renowned Peking Opera master, Mei Lanfang. It hosts a year-round program of classic and contemporary Peking Opera productions. Beyond performances, visitors can engage in cultural exchange and educational events organized by the theatre.

Reservation: Search for the official WeChat account, "北京梅兰芳大剧院" (Mei Lanfang Grand Theater), to book tickets.

2. Zhengyici Theatre

Zhengyici Theatre stands as China's oldest, best-preserved wooden opera house, often dubbed a "living fossil of Chinese opera" with a history spanning over 300 years. Catching a Peking Opera performance here offers an authentic ambiance of a traditional Chinese opera. The intimate scale of the opera house brings the audience close to the performers, allowing for a detailed appreciation of the artists' movements, facial expressions, and vocal techniques, highlighting the subtlety and refinement of Peking Opera.

Reservation:Search for the official WeChat account, "正乙祠戏楼重启" (Zhengyici Theatre Restaging), to book tickets.

3. Jixiang Theater, A Peking Opera Experience Center

Established in 1906, Jixiang Theater is a celebrated, century-old institution in Beijing, where legendary masters such as Tan Xinpei and Mei Lanfang once graced the stage. Committed to the philosophy of being "small yet exquisite, elegant and refined," the theater focuses on promoting China's quintessential art of Peking Opera. It features high-quality operatic performances, organizes the "Jixiang Arts Class" program for popularizing traditional Chinese opera, hosts opera-themed exhibitions, and has created an opera-themed café and reading space. These initiatives allow Peking Opera to integrate into modern life in a more relaxed and accessible way for audiences.

Reservation: Search for the official WeChat account, "北京吉祥戏院" (Beijing Jixiang Theater), to book tickets.

What to Expect

Catch Captivating Performances: Immerse yourself in classic Peking Opera repertoire, featuring iconic pieces such as Farewell to My Concubine and The Drunken Concubine.

Explore the Art of Facial Makeup: Delve into the complete process of Peking Opera facial makeup painting and learn the character traits symbolized by different colors.

Try on Elaborate Costumes: Experience wearing exquisite opera attire and master the techniques for using accessories like water sleeves and pheasant plumes.

Learn to Sing Classic Excerpts: Receive guidance from professional performers and practice singing famous arias from the Peking Opera canon.