Tours & tickets

Peking Opera

Situated in Beijing Qianmen Hotel, Liyuan Theatre is the most prestigious performance venue of Beijing Opera. From the traditional performance stage, the Baixian Table (old fashioned square table to seat eight people) to the unique facial make-up, everything in the theater reflects the special feature of old Beijing. The show starts at 19:30 PM and lasts one hour. You meet our staff at the QianmenJianguo Hotel lobby 30 minutes before the show to receive your tickets and be shown to your seats. Will hold your name in the lobby of the theatre.

Viewing Process: 1. After placing your order, we will send you the performance ticket details and the Liyuan Theatre Textual and Visual Guide (including the theatre’s location, transportation options, and a theatre map) via email or WhatsApp. 2. You can arrive at the Jianguo Hotel Qianmen in Beijing 30 minutes before the performance, where you can exchange your e-ticket for a physical ticket at the ticket center in the lobby using your order name and phone number. Then, proceed to your seat according to the seat number on your ticket. 3. The performance starts at 7:30 PM, but you can arrive earlier to watch the actors do their makeup and change costumes for an immersive Peking Opera experience. Liyuan Theatre：located in the Jianguo Hotel Qianmen in Beijing, is one of the city's most famous venues for traditional Peking Opera performances. Established in 1990, it has become an iconic cultural destination, showcasing the rich heritage of Chinese opera. The theatre is renowned for its authentic performances, featuring elaborate costumes, striking makeup, and masterful acting that brings classic stories to life. The intimate setting of Liyuan Theatre allows the audience to experience the elegance and artistry of Peking Opera up close, making it a must-visit for both locals and tourists who wish to immerse themselves in Beijing's traditional culture. The performance lineup varies daily and is subject to the theatre's schedule.

Liyuan Theatre is a renowned venue for Peking Opera performances in China and the best place for tourists to understand and appreciate traditional Chinese opera culture. Established in the 1970s, the theatre ceased performances from 2019 to April 2024, a hiatus of six years. It resumed performances in April 2024, which is great news for Peking Opera enthusiasts. The theatre not only preserves traditional Peking Opera forms but also incorporates modern stage equipment, providing audiences with a better viewing experience. Performance Group: The China National Peking Opera Company, which enjoys a global reputation. Performance Repertoire: With a strong lineup and a wide variety of shows, the daily repertoire is subject to the actual performances. The shows vividly depict ancient Chinese stories and characters through exquisite costumes, makeup, and unique performing arts. The theatre also offers interactive experiences, such as allowing the audience to observe the actors' makeup and dressing processes before the performance, further enhancing their understanding of Peking Opera's charm. For tourists visiting Beijing, Liyuan Theatre is an important venue to experience traditional Chinese culture and art.

Liyuan Theatre offers the Best Peking Opera performance perfect for kids and adults. It start at 7:30pm every night and last for 60 minutes. You should arrive to the theatre 30 minutes before the show to get started. IMPORTANT the QR code from Getyourguide is platform booking reference. It is NOT your Liyuan Theatre ticket. You will receive Theatre Booking No. on your travel day by WhatsApp. Redeem paper tickets at Liyuan theatre with theatre booking number and your passport. Liyuan Theatre Peking Opera Address: No. 175 Xicheng District, Beijing, It locate inside Qianmen Jianguo Hotel (Mandarin: 梨园剧场地址 北京西城区永安路175号) Once we receive your booking, your tickets will be issued. Your will receive Theatre booking reference during travel day. Liyuan Theatre Peking Opera is a showcase for the best of China's " Peking Opera" Enthralling over two millions guests with breathtaking performances and cultural spectaculars. The show start with Peking Opera of The Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers, The Crossroads, Farewell My Concubine and Including elaborate costumes, expressive singing and intricate martial arts. The performance guaranteed to leave you an enthralled and amazed. The make up, the music, the dancing, the acting, the backdrop and more.

The Liyuan Theater in Beijing is famous for its performances of traditional Chinese Peking Opera. The theater offers a great opportunity to experience this centuries-old art form, showcasing elaborate costumes, stylized performances, and live orchestral music. Peking Opera is known for its unique blend of singing, acting, and acrobatics, with a focus on highly symbolic and visually striking performances.If you're planning to attend a show at Liyuan Theater, here’s what you can expect: Highlights: Classic Peking Opera Performances: The theater stages a variety of traditional Peking Opera performances, featuring legendary stories from Chinese folklore and history. The performances often involve acrobatic fighting scenes, exaggerated facial expressions, and graceful movements. Costumes & Makeup: One of the most striking features of Peking Opera is the elaborate costumes and facial makeup, which indicate the character’s status, personality, and role in the performance. The makeup can be quite colorful, and each character type has a distinct style. Music: Traditional Chinese instruments such as the erhu (a two-stringed instrument) and gongs are used to accompany the singers and actors. The music plays a key role in setting the mood and rhythm of the performance. Language: Performances are usually in Chinese, but the actors often use symbolic gestures to convey meaning. Some theaters provide subtitles in English or other languages, so it’s helpful to check ahead.

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Beijing Opera culture for 1.5 hours. Create your own Beijing Opera female role souvenir and leave with a cultural memory of your journey in China. The process is very simple; all you need is care and focus! Whether you are a child aged 9 or an adult aged 80, you can create beautiful pieces. The venue is located in a theater situated in a park built during the Qing Dynasty, modeled after the southern water towns of China. It's only 1.2 kilometers from the Temple of Heaven. This park is a hidden gem for locals in Beijing where you can enjoy coffee, soak up the sun, and dine. You will fall in love with this place! Fall in love with this cultural experience!

The Beijing private guide and driver will be holding a sign with your name written on it and pick you up from your hotel lobby at 18:20(show time is from 19:30PM to 20:40PM). Drive to the theater directly. Peking opera has more than 230 years of history. It is believed that Peking opera gradually came into being after 1790 when the famous four Anhui Opera Troupes came to Beijing. Peking opera developed quickly during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and the Empress Dowager Cixi under their imperial patronage, eventually becoming more common to the common people. In ancient times, the costumes were a garish collection of sharply contrasting colors to stand out on the dimly illuminated stage only lit by oil lamps. Peking opera is a harmonious combination of the Grand Opera, ballet and acrobatics consisting of dance, martial arts and mime. The Peking opera band mainly consists of an orchestra and percussion band. The former frequently accompanies peaceful scenes while the latter provides the right atmosphere for battle scenes. The commonly used percussion instruments include castanets, drums, bells and cymbals. One person usually plays the castanets and drums simultaneously, which conducts the entire band. The orchestral instruments include the Erhu, Huqin, Yueqin, Sheng (reed pipe), Pipa (lute) and other instruments. The band usually sits on the left side of the stage. Afterwards, your Chinese driver will take you back to your hotel.