China's Peking Opera, with its gorgeous costumes, distinctive singing style and unique choreography, has won the praise and commendation of countless overseas theatergoers. When visiting Beijing, a trip to the theater or teahouse to watch Peking Opera is as foremost on your must-do list as climbing the Great Wall or dining on Peking Roast Duck.

PART I

FAMOUS BEIJING

THEATERS

Huguang Guildhall:

Theater and Historical Site

Havoc in Heaven (Nao Tiangong )

Picking up a Bracelet (Shi Yuzhuo)

The Wicked Inn Keeper (San Cha Kou)

The Chang'an Grand Theater:

Venue Most Coveted by

Performers of Traditional Opera

All's Well That Ends Well (Long Feng Cheng Xiang)

Two Loyal Officials (Er Jin Gong)

The Legend of the White Snake (Baishe

Chuanqi), Broken Bridge (Duanqiao)

Liyuan Theater:

Where High-ranking Officials and

the Common People Enjoy Peking

Opera Together

Xiang Yu the Conqueror Bids Farewell to His

Favorite Concubine (Bawang Bie Ji)

Guangdelou Theater: Dedicated

to Both Peking Opera and Quyi

The Concubine Gets Tipsy (Guifei Zui Jiu)

Tianqiaole Teahouse:

Entertainment Venue that

Celebrates the Common People

Zhengyici Theater: Living Fossil

of Chinese Theater

Dongyuan Theater: Replica of an

Imperial Structure

The Fourth Son Visits His Mother (Silang Tan

Mu)

A Bag of Jewels Tells a Story (Suo Lin Nang)

kao She Teahouse--an

Epitome of Beijing Folklore

Fend off Horse (Dang Ma)

PART II

THE PINNACLE OF

PEKING OPERA: A VISIT

TO THE MEI LANFANG

MEMORIAL

Biography of Mei Lanfang

Pioneer of Artistic Innovation

Diligent, Thrifty and Easy-going

A Modest Gentleman

Cultural Ambassador Worldwide

Mei kanfang's Artistic

Achievements

Mei Lanfang Memorial

Museum

PART III

THE ABC OF

TRADITIONAL CHINESE

OPERAS

Origin of Traditional Operas in

Beijing

Kunqu: Oral and Intangible

Human Heritage

Peking Opera: An Important

Representative of Beijing

Vernacular Culture

Four Elements of Traditional

Operas: Sheng, Dan, Jing and

Chou

Sheng

Dan

Jing

Chou

Peking Opera Stage Makeup

Costumes and Musical

Instruments Are Works of Art