Acrobats, Beijing

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After a long day in and around Beijing, our guide Jamie brought us to this acrobatics show.

On the website it says: "Chaoyang Theatre builds up a bridge between Chinese traditional culture and the world. It exhibits the profoundness of Chinese acrobatics to the world."
The show started exactly at 19:15, with a continuous flow of acrobats performing more and more stunning numbers. I especially enjoyed the acrobats walking all around the circumference of a giant metal wheel, performing unbelievable exercises. The bicycle number, with 10 or 12 girls riding one bicycle in a seemingly fragile human pyramid formation, was also very good.

I think the production could do with less extravagant costumes and props and less bombastic music, and let the acrobatics speak for themselves. One of the best numbers consisted of just one acrobat alone on the stage with a bunch of chairs, constructing a higher and higher tower with these chairs and climbing them to the top.

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I was on my third trip to Beijing last November 2009. On my first trip, I watched the Cultural Show, it was okay but a bit too long. This time we decided to watch the Flying Acrobats Show in Chaoyang Theater. There are 2 daily shows, 1715H and 1915H. The tickets are a bit expensive at CNY 280 each (over US$40) but definitely worth it. The show includes tumblers, gymnasts, contortionists, spinning spindles, spinning plates, hoops, 2 giant wheels with an acrobat juggling and skipping rope (even blindfolded) on top while the wheels spin. It's no surprise that the Chinese always place in the gymnastics competitions, they are really great. The grand finale presents 12 female cyclists who finally end up riding a single bike.

Dress Code: No dress code but shorts would be a bit out of place.

I would NOT reconmend Tiandi Theatre. Tickets are more expensive than the competition and the quality is just okay. We tried to buy tikets for 180Y (25US) and they told us they were all sold out and we had to get tickets for 280Y (40US) - when we got to the show it was empty (maybe 30 seats filled and 200 empty?) - we complained but of course they did not speak english. Major disapointment that might have been okay, but the show was not that great either.

Dress Code: casual

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This theatre is located in the Chaoyang District and is a Chinese acrobatics show involving bicycles, tight rope walking, and spinning plates that is aimed at tourists. It was a very entertaining show, highly recommended. Showtimes are 17.15-18.15, and 19.15-20.30 every night. Tickets are 50-300 RMB. Ours were 180 RMB each for good seats, right in the middle.

Dress Code: Cameras seemed to be allowed.

In this small theatre you can have a taste of the chinese acrobatics skills.

Beautiful and impressive performances will not let you loose any part of the show.

Definitely worth a visit!

Tickets begin on RMB100 (EUR10) and show begins on 19h15.

Dress Code: No special requirements.

If you're in Beijing you gotta check out the Acrobatic Troupes. They are fun to watch! They were for me anyways. I went twice in Beijing and twice in Shanghai. It was fairly inexpensive too! Just a couple of dollars in 1987. I'm sure the price has risen since then. Just ask at your hotel or tourist office for the latest schedule and prices.

Check out things to do in Beijing for the info on the above two shows.

Must see attractions.

While in Beijing you should catch an acrobat show. It's inexpensive and quite fantastic what these artists can do with their bodies

Dress Code: Casual