Peking Opera, Acrobatics and Kung Fu Shows in Beijing

The easiest way to see Beijing opera (Peking opera) as a first-timer is an evening at Liyuan Theatre, where short excerpts are performed with Chinese and English subtitles over tea at square tables. As of October 2026, shows start at 7:30pm, mostly Wednesday to Saturday. Chang’an Grand Theatre and Mei Lanfang Grand Theatre also stage Peking opera.

What you see and hear at Peking opera

One evening of Peking opera mixes high, carrying song with spoken lines, dance, mime and stage combat, all set to the clack of wooden clappers and the crash of gongs and cymbals. Faces are painted in bold colors, costumes are heavy silk embroidery, and a single table and two chairs can become a palace, a battlefield or an inn. You don’t need to follow the words. The gestures, music and costumes carry most of the story, and at Liyuan the subtitle screens fill in the rest.

The art form’s best-known star is Mei Lanfang, celebrated for his female roles. One of his creations, the long silk-ribbon dance in The Heavenly Maiden Scatters Flowers, is still performed in Beijing, and the city’s Mei Lanfang Grand Theatre carries his name.

Where to see Peking opera in Beijing

Liyuan Theatre: tea, subtitles and short excerpts

Liyuan Theatre opened on 8 October 1990 inside the Qianmen Jianguo Hotel, at 175 Yong’an Lu in Xicheng, and it is still there. It is laid out like an old teahouse theatre: you sit at square tables with lidded cups of tea, and screens beside the stage show the lines in Chinese and English. The nearest metro station is Hufangqiao on Line 7. Travelers report that performers often put on their makeup and costumes where the audience can watch before the curtain goes up, so it is worth arriving a little early.

Performances are by the Beijing Peking Opera Company. Its October 2026 program had 17 performances, all at 7:30pm. Most were on Wednesday to Saturday evenings, with one Monday and one Tuesday added, and one week had only two shows. The evening is a string of short excerpts, so a tragic sword dance can share the bill with a comic boat ride. Typical pieces include:

• Farewell My Concubine: the tragic parting of a defeated king and his consort, with a sword dance.
• The Heavenly Maiden Scatters Flowers: Mei Lanfang’s ribbon dance, all swirling silk.
• Autumn River: a light comic piece, an old boatman and a young woman on a river, told entirely through mime.
• Crossroads Inn (San Cha Kou): a famous fight scene in a pitch-dark inn, played with the stage lights fully on.

The company publishes its program month by month (the October 2026 program came out on 25 September), so we check the dates for your trip.

Chang’an Grand Theatre and Mei Lanfang Grand Theatre

Both are active Peking opera stages. In summer 2026, both hosted the national classic opera-excerpt showcase, 20 performances with 81 excerpts between 17 July and 12 August. Neither publishes a fixed program for visitors. These stages suit travelers who already love opera, or who want a full evening among local opera fans.

Huguang Guild Hall

The Huguang Guild Hall is a historic setting for opera. On 23 February 2026 it staged The Red-Maned Horse as part of a Spring Festival opening tour. We found no regular performance schedule, and visits reportedly need advance booking, so check ahead.

Acrobatics and kung fu shows

An acrobatics evening needs no subtitles at all, which makes it the easier choice for children or anyone who would rather watch than listen. Chaoyang Theatre was part of Chaoyang District’s 2025 summer tourism routes for its acrobatic shows, and travelers who went in autumn 2026 report that the shows are still running.

The Red Theatre, near Tiantan Dongmen station on Line 5, is best known for a kung fu show, but travelers who went in October 2026 found an acrobatics program there instead, with several performances each afternoon. Programs change, so we check what is running for your dates.

What to expect on the night

• Sound: the percussion is loud and the singing high and bright. If you’re sensitive to volume, ask for seats further back.
• Subtitles: Liyuan shows the lines in English; larger theatres may not, so read the story beforehand.
• Clapping: audiences often applaud a fine high note or a clean acrobatic move in the middle of a scene. Join in.
• Dress: smart-casual is fine everywhere.
• Timing: Liyuan’s 7:30pm start leaves time for an early dinner nearby.
• Tickets: travelers who bought Liyuan tickets online report exchanging them for paper tickets at the theatre’s box office before going in, so allow a few extra minutes.

Getting there and back

For Liyuan Theatre, Hufangqiao station on Line 7 is the closest stop. If you have dinner in Qianmen first, Qianmen station is on Lines 2 and 8, and Zhushikou, on Lines 7 and 8, links you onto Line 7. After the show, a taxi or DiDi back to the hotel is simplest; keep the hotel’s name and address written in Chinese to show the driver. For subway hours and taxi fares, see getting around Beijing.

How to choose a show

• First time, any age: Liyuan Theatre, for tea, subtitles and short excerpts.
• Opera lovers: Chang’an Grand Theatre or Mei Lanfang Grand Theatre, for whatever is on during your dates.
• Families with children: an acrobatics evening; ask us what’s running.
• Short on time: pair Liyuan with an early Peking duck dinner in Qianmen. Our Peking duck and Beijing food guide lists the classic restaurants.

A 7:30pm curtain still leaves time to rest at the hotel after a day of sightseeing. Our Beijing evening food tour is another way to spend a night out. Daytime ideas are in things to do in Beijing and our private Beijing tours.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to see Beijing opera for first-timers?

Liyuan Theatre, in the Qianmen Jianguo Hotel at 175 Yong'an Lu, Xicheng. You sit at tea tables, the program is a set of short excerpts, and screens show the lines in Chinese and English. The nearest metro is Hufangqiao on Line 7.

When are Peking opera shows at Liyuan Theatre?

As of the October 2026 program, the Beijing Peking Opera Company performs at 7:30pm, mostly on Wednesday to Saturday evenings, and a show lasts about an hour. Dates change month by month, so we check the program for your trip.

Will I understand Peking opera if I don't speak Chinese?

Yes, more than you'd expect. Liyuan Theatre shows Chinese and English subtitles beside the stage, and the gestures, costumes and music carry much of the story. Short excerpts such as Autumn River and Crossroads Inn are easy to follow.

Is Peking opera good for children?

Short excerpts work well for older children, especially the fight scene in Crossroads Inn and Mei Lanfang's ribbon dance. For younger children an acrobatics evening is often the better pick; ask us what's running during your dates.

Are there acrobatics or kung fu shows in Beijing?

Yes. Travelers report that Chaoyang Theatre was still staging acrobatics in autumn 2026, and that the Red Theatre, best known for its kung fu show, had an acrobatics program in October. Programs change, so send us your dates and we'll suggest current options.

Which other theatres stage Peking opera?

Chang'an Grand Theatre and Mei Lanfang Grand Theatre are both active Peking opera venues. In summer 2026 both hosted the national classic opera-excerpt showcase, 20 performances with 81 excerpts from 17 July to 12 August.

Facts checked: 5 November 2026. Ticket prices, opening hours and entry rules can change; we re-check before every booking.