Known as Chinas national opera, Peking Opera is a form of traditional Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics. It arose in the late 18th century and became extremely popular in the Qing Dynasty court and has come to be regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China. Its rise is due in great part to the patronage of the imperial royalties. Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) is an opera aficionado.
Peking opera features four main types of performers. Performing troupes often have several of each variety, as well as numerous secondary and tertiary performers. With their elaborate and colorful costumes, performers are the only focal points on Peking operas characteristically sparse stage. Mei Lanfang is a famous Peking Opera Master in modern times. One of his masterpieces is《Farewell My Concubine》. You can go to Zhengyici Peking Opera Theatre, Huguang Guild Hall or Liyuan Theater to enjoy Peking Opera performance.