Beijing is the cradle of Beijing Opera, acrobatics, cross-talk, and story-telling. Beijing Opera is the quintessence of Chinese culture. It combines singing, dancing, music, art and literature, which endears itself to people home and overseas. Chinese acrobatics has won many awards at an international level and has amazed audiences throughout the world. In a cross-talk, performers use different ways to make you laugh. They may tell jokes, imitate, show stunts or sing in exaggerated ways. It is so comical that audiences can't help laughing. Story-telling (Pingshu) is deeply loved by local people. As a common practice, the teller has a paper fan in one hand and stands behind a table that has a block on. The block is used to call listeners' attention when he comes to the showdown of the story. With particular cadence and actions, it is quite interesting.
Top Theaters and Concert Halls to See Performances in Beijing
Huguang Huiguan Theater
Location: No.3, Hufang Lu, Xicheng District
Tel: 010-63529134
Feature: Beijing Opera
Liyuan Theater
Location: 1/F, Qianmen Jianguo Hotel, No.175, Yong'an Lu, Xicheng District
Tel: 010-63016688-8860
Feature: Beijing Opera
Laoshe Teahouse
Location: No.3, Qianmen Xidajie, near the Tiananmen Square
Tel: 010-63036830
Feature: Beijing Opera, acrobatics, cross-talk, Beijing folk music
Zhengyici Theater
Location: No.220, Xiheyan Dajie, Dongcheng District
Tel: 010-63036233
Feature: Beijing Opera
Chang'an Grand Theater
Location: No.7, Dongchangan Jie, Dongcheng District
Tel: 010-65101309 65101310
Feature: Beijing Opera
Capital Theater
Location: No.22, Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District
Tel: 010-65249847
Feature: Chinese drama
Tianqiao Theater
Location: No 30, Beiwei Lu, Xicheng District
Tel: 010-83156356
Feature: opera, ballet
Poly Theater
Location: No.14, Dongzhimen Nandajie, Dongcheng District
Tel: 010-65001188-5621
Feature: opera, ballet, symphony, musical play
China Puppet Theater
Location: No. Jia 1, Anhua Xili, Chaoyang District
Tel: 010-64243698
Feature: puppet show
China National Children's Art Theater
Location: No. 64, Anhua Xili, Chaoyang District
Tel: 010-65129688 010-65129689
Feature: performance designed for children
Beijing Concert Hall
Location: No.1, Beixinhua Jie, Chaoyang District
Tel: 010-66057006
Feature: concert
Jinfan Concert Hall
Location: No.24, Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District
Tel: 010-65250615
Feature: concert
