While they may differ only slightly in costume and makeup, all traditional opera forms, including Peking opera (京剧), are, strictly speaking, "regional," in that each is based on the music and dialect ...

Dressed in a red-and-white warrior costume, Peking opera actress Zhang Wanting balances on one foot on the narrow handle of a ...

On a warm Saturday afternoon, the bustling tourist area around Qianmen Street in Beijing - one of the iconic spots along the Central Axis - buzzes with visitors from around the world, all drawn to its ...

BEIJING — “Watch out for that sword,” the rehearsal director shouted. “I don’t want anybody’s head getting cut off because you don’t know what you’re doing.” Lots of weapons were on stage at the ...

The backstage was busy and noisy. Young male Peking Opera performers in their 20s were applying makeup, adjusting costumes, stretching, and clearing their throats. The air was filled with the smell of ...