Beijing Arts & Culture

The charms of Beijing stem, first of all, from her authentic oriental cultural aura. Beijing is cloaked in a peculiar age-old cultural tradition that is mature and splendid. At the same time, it has grown into an exciting 21 st Century city offering an u nequalled wealth of entertainment for people to enjoy. In 2008 when Beijing hosts the Olympic Games, Beijing will show the world something so special that everyone will be awestruck by Beijing's latest accomplishments combined with its ancient history.

Whether it be a tranquil tea ceremony or little Chinese children doing acrobatic flips, there is an abundance of cultural activities for one to pursue under Beijing's entertainment scene.

With nearly 200 years of history, Peking Opera is quintessential of traditional Chinese culture. Beijing Opera combines stylized acting, singing, dancing, musical dialogue, and martial arts, with attractive costumes and colourful makeup. Totally enthralling theatergoers, this is a must see when in China.

The singing in Peking Opera is highly variegated with rhythm and pitch. The colourful facial makeup is also fascinating because it is painted on to represent different characters. Red means loyal and brave, black represents powerful and wise, yellow and white stand for fierce and guile, blue and green show the characters of greenwood heroes, gold and silver indicate mysterious or super-natural.

Many people used to think Beijing Opera is only for older people, but as a matter of fact, it is loved by people of all ages.

Huguang Huiguan Ancient Opera Building
Address: 3, Hufang Lu, Xuanwu District, Beijing

Chinese acrobatics, also with a long history, is a performing art famed for its wonderful skills and marvelous acts. The China Acrobatic Troupe and the Beijing Acrobatic Troupe are both staffed with China's finest acrobats who have won many international awards. This Chinese Acrobats is a popular attraction for both local Chinese and visitors to Beijing.

Wansheng Theatre
Address: 95, Tianqiao Market, Xuanwu District, Beijing

Puppet Shows in China has a history of 2,000 years. Most of the performances are based on Chinese folk tales.

Wearing beautiful costumes, the puppets seem life-like with their rolling eyes, deft fingers, moving lips and dancing legs such that both children and adults adore the Puppet shows. But in fact, these Puppets are controlled by sticks and strings.

The China Puppet Troupe, a group well known for performing puppet shows, is recognized for their puppet's exaggerated artistic features and delivering vivid and flexible performances.

Tea is a Chinese traditional drink, like coffee in Western countries. Knowing about tea is an art, very much like tasting wine. Many Chinese people drink tea everyday. Drinking tea can be a sign of respect especially when entertaining friends.

A teahouse is social place for drinking tea, eating snacks, watching traditional performances, doing business, and entertaining friends. Teahouses can be rather bustling or tranquil, depending on where you go. But no matter where you go, Teahouses offer a window for visitors to learn more about Chinese traditions, folk customs and Chinese way of life.

Recently teahouses have seen a big comeback in Beijing. It is now quite fashionable to go to a traditional teahouse to savor and appreciate tea. The atmosphere in teahouses is usually calm and tranquil. Some teahouses offer instrumental Chinese music or Peking Opera performances.

Laoshe Tea House
Address: 3F, Building 3, Zheng Yang Shi Chang, Xi Da Jie, Qianmen, Beijing

Tianqiao Theater and Tianqiaole Tea House
Address: No.113, Beiwei Lu, Xuanwu District, Beijing

Night performance venues such as the Lao She Teahouse, Tianqiao Happy Teahouse, Liyuan Theater, Huguang Guildhall and Beijing Wuyi Diyuan offer a wide repertoire of traditional arts, including Peking Opera, martial arts and other folklore arts. Visitors can watch shows, while eating snacks and drinking tea.

Laoshe Tea House
Address: 3F, Building 3, Zheng Yang Shi Chang, Xi Da Jie, Qianmen, Beijing

As the cultural center of China, Beijing plays host to many outstanding Chinese and Western stage performances. These shows are excellent means to enhance mutual understanding and cultural exchange. Performances of different genre from many different countries and regions are staged in Beijing on a regular basis, with most shows beginning at 7:30 pm.

Liyuan Theater
Address: Inside Jianguo Hotel, No. 175 in Yongan Lu, Qianmen District, Beijing

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Beijing is loaded with karaoke bars where one can sing Chinese, Korean, Japanese and English songs, with friends in private settings. To find one, just ask a young Chinese student and they will simply point you in the right direction. These karaoke rooms are nicely decorated with a sound system in place, so all you have to do is pick up the microphone. Drinks and snacks are served. They are generally open from 7:00 pm to 2:00 am, though some may close later.

There are plenty of movie theatres playing Chinese and foreign films. Most of the films have subtitles. The cinemas are much like those in North America. The only difference is you can choose whether you want sweet or salty popcorn.

Wudaokou Cinema
Address: Chengfu Lu, Wudaokou, Haidian District, Beijing

Dong Huan Cinema
Address: Dong Huan Guang Chang, Dong Zhong Street, Dongzhimen District, Beijing

New Oriental Plaza Cinema
Address: Basement, New Oriental Plaza, Wangfujing, Dong Cheng District, Beijing

Palace Museum
Address: 4 Jingshan Street, Beijing
Telephone: (8610) 6513-2255

Museum of Chinese History
Address: East Side of Tian'an men Square, Beijing
Telephone: (8610) 6512-8321

Beijing Museum of Natural History
Address: 126 Tianqiao Nandajie, Beijing
Telephone: (8610) 6702-4431

Beijing Ancient Observatory
Address: Jianguomennei Boulevard, Beijing
Telephone: (8610) 6512-8923

Ancient Bells Museum
Address: 31 A, West Road., 3rd Ring Road North, Beijing
Telephone: (8610) 6255-0843

Beijing Aviation Museum
Address: Datangshan, Changping County
Telephone: (8610) 6978-4882

Peking-Man Exhibition Hall
Address: Zhoukoudian, Fangshan District, Beijing
Telephone: (8610) 6930-1272

Chinese Art Gallery
Address: 1 Wusi St., Dongcheng District, Beijing
Telephone: (8610) 6401-6234


NOTE: Although this information is correct at the time of our web publication, it is still advised that you call the phone number and confirm the address before going to the venue because some venues may have changed their telephone numbers or address locations.