Peking Opera Show Ticket Beijing

Peking opera: Beijing's classic stage art

Peking opera, or jingju, took shape in Beijing at the end of the eighteenth century, when touring troupes from Anhui and Hubei came to the capital and blended their music with other regional styles. Over the following century it became the favourite entertainment of the imperial court and of ordinary city audiences alike, and in 2010 UNESCO added it to its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

A performance combines singing, spoken dialogue, dance-like movement, mime and acrobatics, all within strict conventions. A single whip in an actor's hand stands for a horse, a table and two chairs can become a palace or a mountain, and every gesture of the sleeves has meaning. If you are wondering whether a Peking opera show is worth seeing, this short evening format with subtitles is the most accessible way for first-time visitors to enjoy it.

Roles, painted faces and music

Characters fall into four main role types: sheng, the male roles; dan, the female roles; jing, the painted-face roles with bold makeup; and chou, the clowns, marked by a white patch around the nose. The colours of the painted faces carry meaning: red often signals loyalty and courage, black honesty and strength, white cunning, and blue or green fierce, untamed characters.

The costumes are made of rich embroidered silk, with long water sleeves and elaborate headdresses. A small live orchestra sits to the side of the stage: the high-pitched jinghu fiddle carries the melody, while drums, clappers, gongs and cymbals mark every step, fight and dramatic turn. Watching the musicians respond to the actors is part of the pleasure.

The theatre and the evening show

The performance takes place in a compact, traditional-style theatre inside a hotel in the Qianmen area, south of Tiananmen Square. Because the hall is small, even the rear seating areas are close enough to see the makeup, costume details and facial expressions. Seats are assigned by booking order within the area you buy, from the more affordable D Area to the front A Area.

Each evening's programme is chosen by the theatre and usually presents two or three famous excerpts, often mixing a lyrical scene with a lively fight or comic piece. English subtitles are shown on screens during the performance, and the guidebook we send you explains the basics so you can recognise the role types. Arriving early gives you time to settle in, study the stage and enjoy the quiet moment before the music starts.

Show times, getting there and the Qianmen area

The show runs every Wednesday to Saturday at 19:30, with one performance each evening; please arrive at least 30 minutes early to exchange your ticket and find your seat. How to get to the theatre: it is a short taxi ride from Qianmen and Tiananmen Square, and we send you the exact address and a map in Chinese with your confirmation to show the driver.

The best time to visit Beijing for an evening out is spring or autumn, when the old streets around Qianmen are pleasant to explore before the show. The historic Niujie area, home to Beijing's oldest mosque, is a short ride away and has many halal (qingzhen) restaurants run by Hui Muslim families, ideal for an early dinner. The option with dinner includes a Beijing-style set menu with a vegetarian choice.