Peking Opera and acrobats

Peking Opera

Peking Opera and acrobats

Chinese acrobats are a sight to behold as they somersault and cartwheel their way across the stage. Sometimes they do this while wearing heavy costumes.

China’s most popular athletes are also amazing jugglers. They swallow knives and jump through hoops of blazing fire. They do magic tricks. They juggle everything from people to chairs to glass dishes.

Acrobats perform on the Grand Stage at the Summer Palace during the day. Three theatres host nightly performances. Wansheng Theatre is west of the Temple of Heaven. It is easiest to get there by taxi. The Universal Theatre is located just north of the Poly Plaza. Get off at the Dongsishitiao subway stop on Line 2, then walk north. Chaoyang Theatre is on Third Ring Road. Get off at the Hujialou stop on subway Line 10.

Acrobatics are also a part of Peking Opera. This is an art that involves singing in high pitched voices, which many foreigners (me included) think sounds like screeching. Most of the parts, even women’s roles, are played by men. The actors sport heavily painted faces and frequently wear ornate costumes. True Peking Opera lovers can tell a character’s personality from the make-up he wears. For example, red paint on the face stands for loyalty and goodness. Blue and green paint represent rebellion and cruelty.

Unlike acrobatics shows, Peking Opera tells a story which is usually based on some Chinese legend. One such opera is Legend of the White Snake which I thoroughly enjoyed at the Chang’an Theatre. Peking Opera masks are popular subjects for delicate Chinese papercuts.

A Chinese papercut of a Peking Opera mask

Peking Opera can be seen at several venues around Beijing. Peking Opera at the Liyuan Theatre has been Westernized, and may be more to your liking as it relies on slapstick and acrobatics to tell its stories. Electronic reader boards give English translations. The Liyuan is located inside the Qianmen Jianguo Hotel, a short walk south of the Line 2 Hepingmen subway stop. Performances are nightly. Also get off at the Hepingmen stop for the Zhengyici and Huguang theatres. The Chang’an Theatre in central Beijing is very popular with Peking Opera lovers. There are no nightly opera performances there, as the theatre hosts other artistic performances such as ballet and concerts. It’s located on Jianguomen, just west of the Jianguomen subway stop on Lines 1 and 2.

Carvings on bamboo trees at Beihai Park

Lining up to see Mao's mausoleum

Beijing tourist offices

Beijing Tourist Offices are wonderful places to get information about the Chinese capital. They’re located throughout Beijing and its suburbs, and there’s always someone on duty who speaks English. Staff can offer suggestions on attractions and tell you how to get there on a public bus.

A complete list of the tourist offices can be found on the web, but here’s a list of the more centrally located offices:

Workers Stadium/Sanlitun area:No. 11-2 Gongti North Road, Chaoyang District
Shichahai area: No. 49 Dianmen West Street, Xicheng (This is located across the street from the north entrance/exit of Beihai Park, and the start of the lakes area.)
Beihai Park south area: No. 1 Wenjing Street, Xicheng District (This is at the south gate to the park.)
Beijing Aquarium: No. 18 GaoliangqiaoXiejie, Haidian District (This is at the north entrance to the aquarium. Most people will reach the aquarium via the main entrance of the Beijing Zoo.)