As a quintessential part of Chinese culture, traditional opera shines as a brilliant gem in the long river of Beijing's cultural heritage. The numerous grand theaters in Beijing serve as the stage where this brilliance unfolds, witnessing the appearances and farewells of countless opera masters and carrying the passion and devotion of generations of audiences. Let us step into these theaters and experience the endless charm of this artistic realm.
Jixiang Theater
JixiangTheater, established in 1906, is a famous century-old theater in Beijing. Masters such as Tan Xinpei and Mei Lanfang have performed on its stage. After reopening on July 9, 2021, the new Jixiang Grand Theater is located on the 7th floor of the Yintai in88 Building in Wangfujing. It is an "aerial theater" that combines traditional and modern styles.
Jixiang Theater has a total construction area of approximately 4,000 square meters and accommodates over 330 seats. The interior of the theater is filled with classical charm, featuring intricately carved beams and painted rafters, exuding beauty and splendor. The top decoration is a hand-painted colorful coffered ceiling with the pattern of "Endless Characters," symbolizing good luck and auspiciousness, recreating the grandeur of the old theater.
The seating in Jixiang Theater is divided into tea seats and balcony seats. The stage is equipped with advanced sound and lighting equipment, providing the audience with a splendid audiovisual experience akin to being in a grand hall.
Since its reopening, Jixiang Theater has adhered to the concept of being "exquisite and elegant." With Peking Opera and KunquOpera performances as its core, it also showcases various high-quality performances that embody traditional culture. It has become a high-end performance venue that gathers renowned Pekingand Kunqu Opera artists, a base for the inheritance and exhibition of national quintessence art, and a platform for diverse cultural activities. It strives to create a new landmark in Wangfujing that combines national quintessence art with contemporary fashion. Jixiang Theater was awarded as a popular "must-visit" location in Beijing in 2021.
On July 9th, Jixiang Theater celebrated its third anniversary since reopening.On this occasion, the ‘Master of the Generation - Mei Lanfang Special Art Exhibition’ was launched, and the ‘Beijing Gift’ theatre theme shop was officially opened.
The themed store showcases a variety of cultural and creative items infused with elements of traditional Chinese opera. These include exquisitely crafted jewelry with theatrical themes, playing cards featuring precious old photos of renowned Peking Opera artists, elaborate and exquisite Jixiang Theater costumes, as well as various artist collaborations inspired by traditional Peking Opera repertoire and stage designs. The store not only offers cultural and creative products from Jixiang Theater but also introduces cultural institutions such asJingju Theater Company of Beijing,Mei Lanfang Memorial Hall, The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre, and Tanzhe Temple, among others.
Address: 7th Floor, Office Building, North Section of Yin Tai In88 Tower, No. 88 WangfujingDajie(St), Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
Mei Lanfang Theater
Mei Lanfang Theater is located at the southeast corner of Guanyuanqiao on the Second Ring Road in Beijing. It was built in November 2007 and is affiliated with the National Peking Opera Company. Covering an area of 13,000 square meters, the theater consists of four floors. It is a modern medium-sized theater that perfectly combines traditional and contemporary art. The theater has two auditoriums, a large one with 988 seats and a small one on the fourth floor with 154 seats.
In the center of the lobby stands a bronze statue of Mr. Mei Lanfang, weighing 1.2 tons, which was completed in 2008. Mei Lanfang Theater is named after the master Mei Lanfang, who was the first president of the National Peking Opera Company in China.
The main color of Mei Lanfang Theater is red, and its glass curtain wall is constructed using a unique five-stranded inclined cable technology, which is a distinctive patented technology in China. Every night, through the glass curtain wall, the theater shines with dazzling lights, resembling a large red crystal sparkling in the night sky.
The interior decoration of Mei Lanfang Theater incorporates traditional architectural elements. Red pillars and walls are adorned with dozens of golden circular reliefs, resembling door studs of a grand gate from a distance. Each relief has a three-dimensional effect and represents a Peking Opera performance.
On the east wall, there is a magnificent portrait of Guan Gong (Guan Yunchang), measuring 8 meters in height and 5 meters in width, created by the renowned artist Mr. Fan Zeng. Mr. Fan Zeng painted two portraits of Guan Yu in total—one with a raised saber, located in the National Peking Opera Company, and the other in Mei Lanfang Theater. Guan Yu's character of loyalty, righteousness, bravery, and chivalry is worth promoting in modern times, aligning with the traditional virtues upheld in Chinese opera. In the world of opera, he represents the embodiment of loyalty, righteousness, and benevolence.
Located on the fourth floor, "Top 13 Operatic Artists inthe Tongzhiand Guangxu Periods"is a highly significant commemorative gift presented by Peking Opera enthusiasts to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the National Peking Opera Company. This artwork depicts the personas of thirteen renowned Peking Opera masters during the most prosperous and flourishing period of Peking Opera.
As a themed theater dedicated to traditional Chinese opera, Beijing Mei Lanfang Theater has truly become a cultural hub for the dissemination of opera art and the showcasing of the beauty of the "national quintessence." It fully leverages the role of the Mei Lanfang Theater as a vanguard in promoting traditional opera culture and has become the main venue for opera performances nationwide.
Address: 32Ping'anliXidajie(St), Xicheng District, Beijing (Guanyuanqiao, West Second Ring Road)
Chang’an Theater
Chang'anTheater is a renowned and long-established theater, founded in 1937. It primarily showcases classic plays, especially various art forms represented by Peking Opera. The original location was on the bustling commercial street of Xidan in Beijing. The new theater reopened in September 1996 and was relocated to the Guanghua Chang'an Building on the north side of Dongchang'an Street. The newly constructed Chang'an Grand Theater combines classical national architectural style with modern architectural art, and its design and decoration exhibit typical Ming and Qing dynasty styles.
Since its establishment, Chang'an Theater has upheld tradition for over 80 years, with a mission to promote traditional Chinese opera and enrich the cultural life of the people. The theater's main focus is on opera performances, particularly Peking Opera. Leveraging its own resources, it has been involved in the production and presentation of a number of outstanding Peking Opera works, such as the Peking Opera play "Prime Minister Liu," the large-scale Peking Opera symphonic poem "Mei Lanfang," and the large-scale newly adapted historical Peking Opera "Yuan Chonghuan."
With its brand advantage, Chang'an Theater has successfully hosted the ‘Frost Leaves Redder Than February Flowers’-National Peking Opera Longevity Concert on Double Ninth Festival, ‘The End of the World Together’-Mid-Autumn Festival Concert for Global Chinese, ‘May 4th Youth Day - National Outstanding Young Peking Opera Performers‘ Concert and “Entering the Gate of Chang'an Opera” - Peking Opera Ticket Fans’ Fellowship, and other series of activities. It has become the home base for Peking Opera veteran artists, leading performers from various theaters, outstanding young actors and actresses, and ticket friends from all over the country and even the world.
With the expansion of its operations, Chang'an Grand Theater, in addition to staging Peking Opera, has also met the needs of different opera enthusiasts by introducing outstanding productions of Kunqu Opera, Yue Opera, Huangmei Opera, Yu Opera, Hebei Bangzi Opera, and other regional operas.
Today, the magnificent Chang'an Grand Theater with its golden glazed roof still stands prominently on bustling Chang'an Street. In front of the theater, there is a sculpture of Peking Opera facial masks, and at the entrance, there is a display of Peking Opera audiovisual materials and books. The front row seats in the theater are elegant, with mahogany tables adorned with jasmine tea and palace snacks, preserving the traditional customs of old theater houses. Chang'an Grand Theater connects the history of opera, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity. It serves as a cultural bridge, bringing together the East and the world in harmony.
Address: No. 7 JianguomenneiDajie(St), Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
National Centre for the Performing Arts
The National Centre for the Performing Arts is located along West Chang'an Avenue in the heart of Beijing, adjacent to the Great Hall of the People and Tiananmen Square. The National Centre for the Performing Arts houses four theaters and related facilities: an opera house, a concert hall, a theater, and a smaller theater. The total construction area is 217,500 square meters, and the overall architectural style is simple and grand.The unique main structure, a clear and transparent lake, and the extensive greenery surrounding it not only perfectly highlight the dazzling beauty of the "Pearl on Water" but also embody the concept and characteristics of "a theater in the city, a city in the theater."
The National Centre for the Performing Arts has always adhered to the mission of "serving the people, promoting art, and embracing internationalism." It follows the "Four Highs" principle of having a high position, high standards, high quality, and high efficiency. Guided by the five development concepts of "leading, inheriting, innovating, opening up, and inclusiveness," it strives to create six major platforms: the Performing Arts Center Platform, the Original Art Creation Platform, the Arts Popularization and Education Platform, the Comprehensive Art Exhibition Platform, the Cultural Exchange and Cooperation Platform, and the Digital Cultural Communication Platform.The National Centre for the Performing Arts actively plays a leading and exemplary role in promoting artistic innovation, flourishing the performing arts market, and enhancing the international influence and dissemination power of Chinese culture. It contributes to the construction of the national cultural center in the capital and demonstrates its commitment to promoting high-quality development of national culture and arts.
The National Centre for the Performing Arts is the national center for performing arts, a magnificent hall of refined art, where outstanding productions from China and abroad come together and renowned artists gather. The theater adheres to a people-centered approach, delving into people's lives and being rooted in the people, writing for the people, expressing emotions for the people, and comforting the people. The theater regards artistic quality as its lifeline, striving to create more excellent works that are worthy of the times, promoting the spirit of China, and uniting the strength of China, allowing art to transform lives.
As a national-level cultural institution, the National Centre for the Performing Arts is an important platform for showcasing the image of a great capital and demonstrating the charm of Chinese culture. It is also a significant business card for the international promotion of Chinese culture. Here, classical and modern elements blend, tradition and fashion collide, civilizations exchange and learn from each other, and art immerses the soul. It is from here that Chinese classics resound throughout the world. With the assistance of technology, high-quality art enters the lives of the people.
The National Centre for the Performing Arts tells Chinese stories, focuses on the global expression of Chinese culture, spreads the voice of China, and delves deep into the Chinese interpretation of world classics. It disseminates the values of contemporary China in an international perspective and global context, embodying the spirit of excellent Chinese culture and showcasing an authentic, multidimensional, and comprehensive China to the world.
Address: No. 2 Xichang'anjie(Ave), Xicheng District, Beijing, China.
Cultural Palace of Nationalities
The Cultural Palace of the Nationalities, proposed by Chairman Mao Zedong and personally approved by Premier Zhou Enlai, was completed and opened to the public on October 6, 1959. It is one of the ten major buildings in Beijing to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The National Ethnic Culture Palace symbolizes the unity, unity, development, and prosperity of the Chinese nation. It is also a symbol of the glorious victory of the Chinese Communist Party's national policies.
The main building of the Cultural Palace of the Nationalitieshas a construction area of over 37,000 square meters. It has 13 floors and stands 68 meters tall. The east and west wing buildings embrace the main building, with white glazed bricks embedded on the walls. The central exhibition hall extends northwards, and the eaves and roof are adorned with peacock blue glazed tiles, giving the building a towering presence. The entire architecture is unique, magnificent, and grand, showcasing a distinctive Chinese ethnic style.The Cultural Palace of the Nationalities enjoys a high reputation both domestically and internationally and is beloved by people of all ethnic groups in China. In 1994, it was selected by the citizens of Beijing as the top among the "50 Most Beloved Ethnic-style Buildings." It is also featured as the "First Palace" of the People's Republic of China in the book "History of World Architecture" published in the United Kingdom. In the 20th Congress of the International Union of Architects in 1999, it was chosen as one of the fine works of Chinese architectural art in the 20th century.
Originally, theCultural Palace of the Nationalitiesconsisted of three main parts: a museum, a library, and a cultural and recreational center. It is the only place and institution in China, since the birth of the People's Republic of China, that is dedicated to hosting various ethnic activities. It serves as an important venue for significant events held by the Party and state leaders, as well as a place for discussions on national affairs and socializing with leaders of ethnic minority groups. It is also the main venue for major festivals and celebrations of ethnic minority groups.
The main responsibilities and tasks of the National Ethnic Culture Palace are as follows:
To promote the Party's ethnic policies and the system of regional ethnic autonomy; to showcase the development achievements of ethnic minority groups and ethnic regions, as well as the historical and cultural heritage of ethnic minorities; to carry out patriotic and ethnic unity education; to organize ethnic cultural activities and host cultural and artistic exhibitions and performances of ethnic minority groups from both domestic and foreign countries.
The Cultural Palace of the Nationalities is widely known as the "Palace of Ethnic Culture," the "Palace of Ethnic Classics," and the "Home of Ethnicities." It is one of the professional institutions in China that has the largest and most diverse collection of ethnic minority artifacts, ancient books and documents, and ethnic minority fine art. Currently, it houses over 50,000 ethnic minority cultural relics, more than 600,000 volumes of literature in 24 ethnic minority languages and Chinese, and over 4,200 pieces of artwork by renowned painters and ethnic minority artists. Among them, many are considered unique and exceptional, including rare ethnic minority manuscripts and woodblock prints that are rarely seen in China and abroad, as well as ancient and precious artifacts such as palm-leaf manuscripts and bodhi-leaf manuscripts that have survived for ages.
Over the past 60 years, The Cultural Palace of the Nationalities has successfully organized over 1,700 exhibitions and showcases of ethnic achievements. It has provided a platform for displaying the outstanding traditional cultures and economic accomplishments of all 56 ethnic groups in China. More than 20,000 performances of ethnic dances, renowned domestic and foreign music, and traditional Chinese operas have been staged here. The palace has also hosted over 100 delegations from various countries and regions, including foreign guests and overseas Chinese. Each year, it receives over 600,000 visitors, including domestic and international audiences, guests, and readers. Prominent leaders of the Communist Party of China and the country, such as Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, and Xi Jinping, have personally visited the Cultural Palace of the Nationalities to participate in relevant activities or inaugurate exhibitions.
Address: No. 49 FuxingmenneiDajie(St), Beijing, China.
