CHINESE OPERA SHOWS
Sichuan face-changing, Peking opera and the teahouse variety bills that carry both. These 7 are priced by seat row, with a note on which have English surtitles and which are an hour of pure spectacle.
At Shufeng Yayun Teahouse in Chengdu Culture Park, you’ll watch a 90-minute Sichuan Opera show filled with face-changing, puppets, music, costumes, and comic acts. Tea is included, with snack and VIP options available. Choose an 18:00 or 20:00 performance, and add hotel pickup if needed.
“Absolutely loved it. So much talent and beautiful culture, it is breathtaking.”
At Chengdu’s Shu Feng Ya Yun theater, you’ll watch a 90-minute evening program of Sichuan opera, face changing, folk arts, and comedy. The show begins at 8 p.m. and includes tea and snacks. Depending on your ticket, you can add costume dressing, a back massage, ear cleaning, or a theater souvenir.
“Very nice way to experience the local culture. There is free tea that is served and also the opportunity to order some local desserts. Great atmosphere, strongly recommended if you visit Chengdu.”
At Beijing’s Liyuan Theatre, you’ll watch a one-hour Peking Opera performance with English subtitles at the Jianguo Hotel Qianmen. Arrive 30 minutes early to exchange your e-ticket and possibly watch the actors apply their striking makeup and change costumes. The daily program varies, and seating may be section-based, so early arrival can help.
“Suggest to defiantly get there early to get a good spot as the seats are not reserved, sections are. They have teleprompters in Chinese and English, but the performance needs very little explanation. They do sell drinks about 7USD for a glass of wine. They have a dinner option. However, walk the block found great value to eat before or after, same steer as the metro no need to cross the large streets.”
Meet staff at Qianmen Jianguo Hotel 30 minutes before the 19:30 show, then take your seat inside Liyuan Theatre. You can watch performers apply their striking make-up before the curtain rises. The one-hour Beijing Opera includes English subtitles, musical storytelling, acrobatic movement, and optional tea and snacks in the blue seating zone.
“it was somewhat special. Not something I would recommend to others to be honest.”
Spend an evening at Beijing’s Liyuan Theatre with VIP seating, private hotel pickup, tea, snacks, and a roughly one-hour Peking Opera performance. Your driver takes you door to door, while guides such as Cathy explain the stories, makeup, costumes, and music. Expect several short scenes rather than one complete opera.
“Unfortunately the opera event was not available. Cathy from the tour agency recommended an acrobatic show instead, which was amazing! Well worth seeing. The driver picked me up easily and came into the theatre foyer with me to check that I knew where my seat was. The driver also waited for me in the foyer after the event. Very smooth, no problems.”
At Shu Feng Ya Yun Teahouse in Chengdu, you watch a 90-minute Sichuan Opera show with face changing, fire-spitting, gongs, drums, and traditional tea service. Ayen’s Panda Travel offers English and Chinese support, VIP, Premium, and Standard seating, plus one free choice of ear cleaning, a shoulder massage, dessert, or a panda souvenir.
“lo spettacolo è molto bello, soprattutto il gioco di ombre e il cambio volto. abbiamo scelto come omaggio incluso la pulizia delle orecchie e il souvenir che è una graziosa borsa con il panda. consigliato :))”
Spend one hour at Beijing’s Liyuan Theatre watching classic Peking Opera scenes, including The Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers, The Crossroads, and Farewell My Concubine. The 7:30pm show uses elaborate costumes, singing, dance, acting, music, and martial arts. You can book a ticket only or add a central Beijing hotel transfer.
“It was a performance that captured almost all the elements of Peking opera in a nutshell. It included romantic scenes, battle scenes, and dramatic scenes. It also featured fantastic acrobatics. That's how I envisioned this performance, and it was exactly that. It also featured stunning color schemes and an interesting presentation of the artist's preparations for the performance. I also want to emphasize your very kind support in helping me get to the venue where the performance took place.”
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