Classic Chinese opera by jonkb
An absolute must for a first time visitor to Beijing is the Beijing opera (sometimes called Peking opera). The plays are a mixture of song and acrobatics. Some performers (definitely not all) have painted faces. The color of those faces signal the type of character. Here are some examples.
A red face symbolizes bravery, uprightness and loyalty.
Purple symbolizes a noble character
Black symbolizes a rough and bold or an selfless person
White symbolizes a villain: everything that is bad in a human: Treachery, craftiness, greed.
If you go to an opera, make sure there is an English translation somewhere if you don't speak any Chinese. A ticket should not set you back much. For a little extra you get to sit at a table being served tea, but be aware of that some of the performers have quite powerful voices and sing in very high pitch.
