A Guide to Beijing’s Major Performance Stages

A Guide to Beijing’s Major Performance Stages
By Ashley Johnson , eChinacities.com

 

Beijing is home to a respectable number of top class performance venues that attract world renowned performers from all over the globe, as well as the crème de la crème of China’s own performers and musicians. From theatre, opera, dance to concerts, and staging anything from traditional Peking opera to modern experimental dance, Beijing’s performance venues are a rich and eclectic source of entertainment and culture, from both China and abroad.  Below, we introduce some of Beijing’s major performance stages; if you’ve never been to any of them, consider this your invitation.

Beijing Poly Theatre 北京保利剧院View In Map
Known to many as the Poly Theatre, this venue is well recognized for its performances of both local and international entertainers which includes ballet, opera, musical and drama plays, concerts and film showings. Shows are carefully selected to perform in this cultural center in order to bring the best performances to the audience. The Poly Plaza also hosts other events including the annual Beijing Music Festival.  Renovations were complete in 2000 to outfit the theatre with super high tech equipment for lighting, audio and stage movement effects, making it one of Beijing’s most popular  venues for performing arts.

Add: No. 14, Dongzhimen Nandajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing
地址: 北京市东直门南大街14号保利大厦
Tel: 010 6500 1188, 010 650
Website: www.polytheatre.com 


NCPA

The National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA) 国家大剧院 View In Map
This magnificent opera house was designed by French architect, Paul Andreu. With intentions to inspire an unforgettable presence and distinctive appearance, the opera house is surrounded by a manmade lake and thus the glass and titanium dome-shaped structure is commonly referred to as “the egg”. Three main halls consist of the opera house, the concert hall and the theatre with seating capacity of 2,398, 2,019 and 1,039 guests, respectively. The venue presents traditional Peking opera as well as modern opera, ballet, traditional and modern dance, dramas and music showcasing orchestras and other style’s and genre’s from around the world. With year around nightly performances, the NCPA is wonderful for the performing arts enthusiast. With a wide selection of shows and entertainment this is a fantastic place to enjoy not only the international arts but also the cultural and creative arts of China.

Add: No. 2 Xichang'an Jie, Xicheng District, Beijing (west of Tian'anmen Square)
地址: 北京市西城区西长安街2号 (天安门西)
Tel: 010 6655 0000
Website: www.chncpa.org
Getting there: Bus routes 1 , 4 , 10 , 20 , 37 , 52 , 726 , 728 and 802 all stop at Tian'anmen West


Red Theatre

Red Theatre 红剧场View In Map
Chinese Kung Fu is an ancient martial art that is still heavily embedded in the culture. Kung Fu masters date back thousands of years and the Red Theatre brings these stories to life on stage through incredible performances. The shows include dancing, acrobatics, singing and of course Kung Fu. While the actors don’t speak, the show is commentated in Chinese with English subtitles overhead.

Add: 44 Xingfu Dajie, Chongwen District, Beijing
地址: 北京市崇文区幸福大街44号
Tel: 010 6710 3671
Website: www.redtheatre.cn
Show Time: Daily, 17:15-18:35 and 19:30-19:50
Ticket price: 180-680 RMB per person

Chaoyang Theater 朝阳剧场View In Map
The Chinese have been performing exquisite acrobatics for years and the Chaoyang Theatre brings thrilling performances that incorporate fire, bicycles, contortion acts, traditional lion dancing and more. With precise and daring action, the performers execute a brilliantly breathtaking show. The theatre also has nightly Peking opera performances in a traditional setting.

Add: 36 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing
地址: 北京市东三环北路36号
Tel: 010 6506 8116, 010 6507 2421
Website: www.bjcyjc.com
Show Time: Daily, Peking Opera17:15; Acrobatics 17:15 and 19:15
Ticket price: 280-880 RMB per person

Tiandi Theatre 天地剧场View In Map
Home to the China National Acrobatic Troupe, this performing arts program was the first national troupe of its kind to be established by the Central Government of China. With one of China’s largest and most extensive programs, this fascinating theatre performs aerial and acrobatic acts as well as singing, magic and more incorporated with modern and traditional dance, music, art and drama.

Add: No.10 Dongzhimen Nandajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing (100 meters north of the Poly Theatre)
地址:北京市东城区东直门南大街10号(保利大厦北100米)
Tel: 010 6506 8116
Website: www.tianditheatre.com
Show Time: Daily, 19:15
Ticket price: 180-680 RMB per person
Getting there: Take subway line 2 to Dongsishitiao station Exit B

Liyuan Theatre 梨园剧场View In Map
This unique venue is prominently known for Beijing Opera. Located inside the Beijing Qianmen Hotel, every aspect of this 1,000 seat theatre is very traditional, giving the audience a genuine feeling of ancient China. From the stage and performers’ costumes to the décor, setting and even the staff’s attire, it all bears a traditional resemblance. Visitors can even peek in on the performers during their make-up process to witness the traditional method of dress. Waiters serve tea through long-mouth tea pots throughout the performance as well.

Add: No 175 Yongan Dajie Hufangqiao Xuanwu District, Beijing (1/F Qianmen Hotel)
地址: 北京市西城区虎坊桥永安大街175号前门饭店1层
Tel:  010 6301 6688, 010 8315 7297
Website: www.qianmenhotel.com
Show Time: Daily, 19:30-20:45
Ticket price: 140-580 RMB per person 


Mei Lanfang Theatre

Mei Lanfang Grand Theatre 梅兰芳大剧院View In Map
This seven story opera house was built in honor of Mei Lanfang, one of Peking operas most renowned and respected performers. Audiences come each night to be entertained by various Peking and other opera singers.

Add: 32 Ping'anli Xidajie, Xicheng District, Beijing
地址: 北京市西城区平安里西大街32号
Tel: 010 5833 1211, 010 5833 1288
Website: www.mlfdjy.cn
Show Time: Daily, 19:30


Chang’an Theatre

Beijing Chang’an Grand Theatre 长安大戏院 View In Map
This 800 seat theatre hosts a variety of local opera performers. Each performance has a special story which is told through the amazing voices of Peking singers. Drama and dance accompany most of the shows as well. The traditional building and setting make this a great place to explore Chinese art and culture.

Add: No.7 Jianguomen Neida Jie, Dongcheng District, Beijing
地址: 北京市东城区建内大街7号
Tel: 010 6510 1309, 010 6510 1310
Website: www.changantheater.com

Beijing Exhibition Center Theater 北京展览馆剧View In Map
The beautifully architected Beijing Exhibition Center is also home to a 2,700 seat theatre. While shows are not ongoing at this venue, the theatre does showcase a mix of classical ballet and Chinese folk dance as well as performances by international dance or acting troupes.

Add: 135 Xizhimen Wai Dajie, Xicheng District, Beijing
地址: 北京市西城区西直门外大街135号
Tel: 6835-1383, 6835-4455
Website: www.bjexpo.com

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Keywords: theatres Beijing Performance stages Beijing performance venues Beijing

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