Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ENTERTAINMENT
FORBIDDEN CITY CONCERT HALL
( Zhōngshān Gōngyuán Yīnyuè Táng; 6559 8285; Zhongshan Park, tickets ¥30-880; performances 7.30pm;
Tian'anmen West)
Located on the eastern side of Zhōngshān Park, this is a wonderfully romant-
ic venue for performances of classical and traditional Chinese music. It's also the best
acoustically.
|CLASSICAL MUSIC
WHAT? BAR
( Shénme? Jiǔbā; 133 4112 2757; 72 Beichang Jie, , admission incl free beer ¥30; 4pm-2am; Tian'anmen
West, then Bus 5)
If you like to get up close and personal with the bands you go and see, then
visit this easy-to-miss venue. That doesn't mean it is groupie heaven here; rather, it's so
small that the audience might as well be on stage with the musicians. Gigs are on Fridays
and Saturdays (sometimes Thursdays and Sundays too), and it's a good place to hear up-
and-coming local talent. Just north of the west gate of the Forbidden City.
|LIVE MUSIC
CHÁNG'ĀN GRAND THEATRE
|PEKING OPERA
( Cháng'ān Dàxìyuàn; 5166 4621; Chang'an Bldg, 7 Jianguomennei Dajie, tickets ¥80-800; performances
7.30pm; Jianguomen)
This theatre offers a genuine experience, with the erudite audience
chatting away knowledgably among themselves during the weekly performances of Peking
opera classics - this is a place for connoisseurs. There are matinees as well as evening
shows, but shows are on weekends only.
CAPITAL THEATRE
( Shǒudū Jùyuàn; 5128 6286; 22 Wangfujing Dajie, tickets ¥80-550; performances 7.30pm Tue-Sun; Wang-
fujing)
Located in the heart of the city on Wangfujing Dajie, the Capital has regular perform-
ances of contemporary Chinese productions and is home to a number of theatre companies,
including the People's Art Experimental Theatre. Classic plays in the Chinese language of-
ten feature.
|THEATRE
STAR CITY
( Xīnshìjì Yǐngchéng; 8518 5399; 1 Dongchang'an Jie, Basement, Oriental Plaza, from ¥70; Wangfujing)
This
six-screen cinema is one of the best places to see Western movies that get released in Ch-
ina. It always has one screening a day with the original, undubbed print (but that doesn't
|CINEMA
