Culture, Arts and Local Sights

Experience not just the academic side of China, but also the cultural and social side represented by Beijing's many attractions, both the very ancient and the very modern ones. Click here to learn more about Beijing.

Peking opera

Beijing Opera (or Peking Opera) has existed for over 200 years.It is widely regarded as the highest expression of Chinese culture. It is known as one of the three main theatrical systems in the world. Artistically, Beijing Opera is perhaps the most refined form of opera in the world. It has deeply influenced the heart of the Chinese people. Although it is called Beijing Opera, its origins are not Beijing but the Chinese provinces of Anhui and Hubei. After absorbing the operatic tunes of regional operas such as Han Opera, Hui Opera, and Kunqu Opera, it became a genre of national significance and popularity during the 1790s. The charm of Beijing Opera lies in the comprehensive form of stage art. It is an organic combination of script literature, the performing techniques of "singing, reciting, dance-acting and acrobatics", music, painted-face make-ups and costumes, and so on.