In-depth Peking Opera Culture Tour

Your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, visit Mei Lanfang Memorial Museum. Follow the guide to view precious cultural relics and learn about the life stories and artistic achievements of the grand master of Mei-style Peking Opera. Known as a paradise for Peking opera costumes, the museum allows you to get a close look at displayed opera costumes and their exquisite embroidery crafts.

Mei Lanfang Memorial Museum

Next, head to Liyuan Theatre to watch wonderful excerpts of classic Peking Opera performances. Experience the unique charm of traditional Chinese opera through melodious tunes, gorgeous costumes and expressive stage movements.

Liyuan Theatre

Watch Splendid Peking Opera

In the afternoon, join a professional Peking Opera cultural class. You can experience hand-painting opera facial masks, learn basic opera postures and singing skills, and listen to lectures on Peking Opera history and character knowledge. You will personally feel the artistic essence of singing, reciting, acting and acrobatics, and gain in-depth knowledge about different roles including sheng, dan, jing and chou.

Later, take a leisurely stroll along Qianmen Street to admire traditional architecture and bustling street scenes. The street is lined with time-honored stores, local snacks and handicraft shops. You can taste authentic old Beijing delicacies and buy Peking Opera themed souvenirs to finish your fulfilling first day.

Your Journey’s Rewards

Explore Mei Lanfang Memorial Museum to learn about the great master’s life and appreciate the artistic glamour of Mei-style Peking Opera. Watch professional Peking Opera shows at Liyuan Theatre and take themed courses to dig deeper into Peking Opera culture.

Educational Focus

What are the artistic features and cultural connotations of Peking Opera?

Takeaway

Peking Opera integrates four core performing forms: singing, reciting, acting and acrobatics. Different colored facial masks symbolize varied characters and identities. Classic tunes and stage movements carry historical stories and traditional aesthetics. Having been passed down for hundreds of years, Peking Opera embodies the essence of traditional arts and serves as an important medium to spread splendid Chinese culture.

Thought Challenge

How to make the ancient art of Peking Opera cater to the aesthetic tastes of young people nowadays?

After breakfast, depart for Baishun Hutong, one of the important birthplaces of Peking Opera. Many historical buildings and cultural relics related to Peking Opera are well-preserved here, where you can learn about the development history of Peking Opera. Afterwards, head to Jingyun Garden, another cradle of Peking Opera. It features Peking Opera culture exhibition halls, traditional opera stages and other facilities. You will get to know the origin and evolution of Peking Opera as well as characteristics of different opera schools.

In the afternoon, visit a local professional makeup studio to experience authentic Peking Opera styling. Professional artists will create classic opera character looks for you, matched with gorgeous costumes and headpieces, allowing you to step into the role and fully immerse yourself in traditional stage art. After styling, take exclusive themed photos to record your wonderful Peking Opera cultural experience.

Peking Opera Makeup Experience

At the end of the trip, your guide and driver will send you back to your hotel or the station, concluding your pleasant Peking Opera cultural journey.

Your Journey’s Rewards

Wander around Baishun Hutong and Jingyun Garden to trace the history of Peking Opera. Experience complete professional Peking Opera makeup and costumes, and take elegant Chinese-style photos.

Educational Focus

What do roles mean in Peking Opera?

Takeaway

There are four major role types in Peking Opera, namely Sheng, Dan, Jing and Chou. Sheng refers to male characters, Dan stands for female characters, Jing represents painted-face roles, and Chou refers to clown roles. These four categories perform different duties and cooperate with each other, forming the complete performing system of Peking Opera.

Thought Challenge

What daily ways can we use to spread and popularize Peking Opera culture?