For foreign ears, the Peking Opera in Beijing really needs us getting used to. The story is very often hard to follow. Our opinion: it’s a must-see programm,but we suggest you choose a short performance (within one hour)! There are several places to watch Peking Opera.Even some Hotels or restaurants offer some highlight performances - long enough to get the spirit of Peking Opera. Peking opera of China is a national traditional treasure with a history of 200 years. It’s a mix of stylized dancing, singing, dialogue and mime, and acrobatic fighting to represent a story or depict different characters and their feelings. In Peking opera there are four main types of roles, namely,sheng (male) dan (young female), jing( painted face,male), and chou (clown, male or female). The content of Peking opera is mainly engaged in history stories,fairy tales of preceding dynasties, important historical events, emperors, ministers and generals, geniuses, and great beauties from the ancient times. Its melody with harmonious rhythms is graceful and pleasing to the ears to old Chinese,also western visitors? The act is coupled by a tune played on wind instruments, percussion instruments and stringed instruments. As the traditional Chinese pattern are adopted, the costumes are of a high aesthetic value. The facial make-ups are rich,colourful, telling different characters and remarkable images. Furthermore,you csn find lots of numerous set editions of facial make-up. For peking opera show, you may use the service of www.24ts.com. They offer evening tours, one of which is Peking Opera evening tour.

There are several places in Beijing you can have the chance to enjoy Peking Opera.Usaually people go to Liyuan Theatre for Peking Opera.
To watch Peking Opera is a different experience for western tourists. Before the performance you will have some tea and snacks while the orchestra is warming up. All casts in the Opera are played by men!! Of course some women are played by men in disguise.
It is a highly stylized form of theatre with skilled acrobatics, distinctive Chinese musical instruments and singing, elegant costumes, and stories of Chinese fables and history.Each theatre has a preserved show– “Monkey King Makes Trouble In The Dragon Palace”. I guess Monkey King is the Chinese Billy Budd! This beautiful theatre form began in 1790 and is unique with high-pitched tonal singing, percussion, martial arts and excellent acrobatics. You can try to listen to some pieces of the Peking Opera at: http://www.chinapage.com/beijing-opera.html! If you love the music, you can go. If you are not used to the music, but still I suggest you go, the actions of Peking Opera is a amazing!