Peking Opera (jingju) is the imperial art form of Beijing — a centuries-old synthesis of singing in a stylised falsetto, acrobatics, martial arts, elaborate costumes, and heavy face paint coding. It requires an acquired taste and patience with an unfamiliar musical idiom, but an evening at a proper Peking Opera performance is one of the most distinctive cultural experiences in China.
The Chang'an Grand Theatre near Wangfujing is the most accessible venue for international visitors, with supertitles in English and Chinese for most performances. The Huguang Guild Hall in the south of the city is a more historic venue with a smaller, more intimate stage. The Lao She Teahouse presents short excerpts in a more casual variety format. A full evening performance runs three hours; arrive knowing the plot and it becomes considerably more comprehensible.