Peking Opera, Beijing

by calcaf38, 1 more photos
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I was almost tempted to enter this tip under the category "tourist traps", but still, it wasn't all bad. I love opera, and I was ready to love Peking opera. I was warned not to go to some modern theater, so I went to the historic and gorgeous Huguang Guild Hall. At Y280, it was expensive (for Beijing, not for the MET!). The show that night was "Monkey King Makes Trouble In The Dragon Palace". There were no girl roles at all. I guess Monkey King is the Chinese Billy Budd! The audience was very sparse, and we were given tea and little snacks. The show was great. Mostly acrobatics and percussion, with hardly any singing at all. As I was starting to get into it, it was over! And opera has the reputation of being too long! Quick curtain calls were immediately followed by the staff clearing the cups and nutshells in a hurry. When I look at the website of Huguang Guild, Monkey King is usually given with another piece. But that night, I was a bit shortchanged.

Theme: Live Music

Address: No.3 Hufang Road, Xuanwu District, Beijing

Directions: 20 minute walk South of Heping Men metro station.

Website: http://www.beijinghuguang.com/


	Peking Opera: Opera	Tip Rating:

Updated By herzog63

on September 23, 2003

by herzog63
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Beijing Opera

I'm not one to visit the Opera but I really enjoyed myself here. The actors actually had me laughing and I don't speak Chinese!! You will have to check the local schedule to find out the venues. It was worth it just for the group of musicians and the cool music that they accompanied the show with. It was very inexpensive for the show that I went to. It was US$.96 cents!! Again like some of my other tips this was 1987 so I'm very sure that it will be more expensive now....A little side note that I noted in my journal was that I had bought the ticket from a scalper and he probably jacked up the price to me!! Who knows what the original price was. The show lasted about 2 hours.

I didn't notice any special dress code. Most people were just dressed up warm as it was pretty dang cold outside!!

Theme: Theater

Directions: ahha Same as the other tips....Your guess is as good as mine!!


	Peking Opera: PEKING OPERA !	Tip Rating:

Updated By LysDor

on December 3, 2002

by LysDor
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It was a strange experience with odd mimics, weird jumps and shouts interrupted by those bizarre chinese sounds - they call traditional theatre music! This theatre tradition is over 200 years old and plays are based on folk tales, famous novels or fairy tales. They are in an awkward way a real pleasure to watch and in some places it is possible to have online english translation of the subtitles. The fantastic silk costumes are works of art in themselves. One of the best places for Peking Opera experience is Qianmen hotel which I visited. Another idea is to go see chinese acrobatics - I assisted at the one at Poly Plaza.

Theme: Other


	Peking Opera: Costume, dance, song and drum	Tip Rating:

By SLLiew

on October 11, 2006

by SLLiew
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Do not miss an entertaining night at the world famous Beijing Opera. Usually there is a story of a Chinese legend or historical episode. The Monkey King is one of my favorites. Colorful makeup with different bright costume and exaggerated eye movement and body gestures. Dancing and acrobatic jumps with fans or swords. There is also individual sopra, tenor or base singing by individual performers which get hearty response from the audience.

Theme: Theater


	Peking Opera: Front Row Seats at the Liyuan Theatre!	Tip Rating:

Updated By RoseAmano

on April 8, 2005

by RoseAmano
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Liyuan Theatre, Beijing

Here at the Liyuan Theatre, the seats at the very front rows are a restaurant-style table where sweets and tea are served.

Theme: Concert


	Peking Opera: Go to the Beijing Opera, its fascinating and a part of...	Tip Rating:

By margaretvn

on August 25, 2002

by margaretvn
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Go to the Beijing Opera, its fascinating and a part of China's long cultural history. I am sorry i cannot remember the exact theatre we went to.

Theme: Theater


	Peking Opera: Did you see the critically...	Tip Rating:

By Krystynn

on August 24, 2002

by Krystynn
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Did you see the critically acclaimed Chinese movie 'Farewell to My Concubine' (which garnered loads of awards) and wonder about the 'squeaky' voice produced by that beautiful female character who was actually a man? :-) Wonder no more! Why don't you try catching a CHINESE OPERA? Very unique. And it's VERY unlike the western-style operas. If you have very sensitive ears, you may also wish to bring along a ear plug (just in case)... because at some points during the opera when their voices get really, really, really shrill (I'm sure you know what I mean), it'd come in handy. :-) Cool THICK make-up and shrill singing to go hand-in-hand with their exaggerated hand movements.

Casually smart.

Theme: Theater


	Peking Opera: Chinese Opera	Tip Rating:

By eva_oberg

on August 24, 2002

by eva_oberg
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You haven't experienced the Chinese culture if you haven't been to a Chinese Opera. Be sure to visit an opera with English translations! When I went to see the opera, the translation machine broke down after 5 minutes. I'll tell you that it wasn't quite as entertaining afterwards... The cookies and jasmine tea that usually is served is yummy though. If you're a big Pavarotti fan, don't think you can compare this opera with the western opera. Chinese opera takes you to another dimension - it is a combination of acrobatics and singing. The singing is very different (and sometimes even annoying) from the way I'm used to, so be prepared for a cultural shock!

Theme: Other


	Peking Opera: It's not a spot but a sort of...	Tip Rating:

By szabolcs

on August 24, 2002

by szabolcs
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It's not a spot but a sort of entertainment: the BEIJING OPERA First of all I have to point out that nothing you may associate with the word opera applies for what you can see in China. The Beijing Opera is an interesting blend of dancing, musical dialogue and martial arts - made complete by colourful costumes and make-up. The different costumes and make-up designs all have their respective meaning: they all represent a given character (that is they tell whether someone is evil or nice). There is REALLY nothing similar to it in Western cultire. I enjoyed it, but most people I talked to said that they could do well without seeing such a performance again. You decide, but one thing is certain: it is a must-see.

None...maybe shorts are not the best idea but they will let you in regardless of what you wear as long as you wear something...:-)

Theme: Theater

Directions: A popular venue is LIYUAN THEATRE. JianGuo QianMen Hotel - 175 Yong'an Dajie

Other Contact: Tel. 63016


	Peking Opera: the 'condensed' chinese opera.

By bafgkm

on August 25, 2002

by bafgkm
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the 'condensed' chinese opera.