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 ...

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 ...

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 ...