On your China Tours be sure to visit Beijing and see the spectacular National Grand Theatre. Beijing has many wonderful places to visit, such as summer palace, Forbidden City, Olympic Stadium and sometimes other places can be over looked. But the National Grand Theatre is a beautiful egg shaped building, which is situated in the heart of Beijing on Chang An Avenue next to the Great Hall of the People and about 500 meters from Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City. So go and take a look at it on your Beijing Tours.
The National Grand Theatre opened in 2007, it was designed by he French architect Paul Andreu. When the theatre was created it proved to have controversial views as many local critics felt it was not “Chinese” enough in appearance. The 2,416 seat opera house has 200,000 square meters in floor space and aims to provide an iconic building for China’s capital on a par with the iconic Sydney Opera House. Not only this but the Theatre also has a 2,017 seat concert hall and a 1,040 theatre – as well as art and exhibition spaces opened to a wide public and integrated into the city. The building is surrounded by a man made lake and gives the impression of floating on the surface of the water. During the day, light flows through the glass roof into the building. At night, the movements within can be seen from outside.
The dome measures 212 meters in east-west direction, 144 meters in north-south direction, and is 46 meters high. The main entrance is at the north side. Guests arrive in the building after walking through a hallway that goes underneath the lake.
Opera plays a big part of entertainment for the Chinese people. Beijing Opera has a 200-year-long history. Its main melodies originated from Xipi and Erhuang in Anhui and Hubei. It is believed that Beijing Opera gradually came into being after 1790 when the famous four Anhui opera troupes came to Beijing. Beijing Opera use to be just for the high status people, but gradually it became accessible to all.
In ancient times, Beijing Opera was performed mostly on stage in the open air, teahouses or temple courtyards. As the orchestra played loudly, the performers developed a piercing style of song that could be heard by everyone. As for their costumes, they were a garish collection of sharply contrasting colours to stand out on the dim stage illuminated only by oil lamps. Beijing Opera is not solely focussed on singing, it is far from that. The opera consists of is a harmonious combination of the Grand Opera, ballet and acrobatics, consisting of dance, dialogue, monologues, martial arts and mime.
Having seen this spectacular building myself, I thoroughly recommend anyone to go see it. Being around he lake makes you feel like your somewhere completely different, and the atmosphere is really relaxing. So book your flight with Air China and experience this wonderful site.
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