A cultural center since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Beijing's Tianqiao area was home to traditional Chinese performances for centuries. After the Beijing municipal government introduced a renovation plan for the area years ago, the Tianqiao area has become a major hub for performing arts in the country.

The center has accomplished great things in its second year.

The Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, which opened in Beijing two years ago, aims to establish itself as a hub for musical performances as well as art education, space exhibitions and public arts events by 2020, said Tianqiao General Manager Zhang Li on Sunday at the center's two-year anniversary celebration.

So far this year, the center has staged 449 performances by 64 troupes from home and abroad. As this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Return of Hong Kong, the center held a performance season with performances from the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Hong Kong Dance Company and Hong Kong Ballet.

For 2018, the center plans to bring classic musicals to the stage, including Chicago, the Chinese edition of Mamma Mia! and Cantonese musical The Lily of the Valley.