Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ENTERTAINMENT
|JAZZ
EAST SHORE JAZZ CAFÉ
( Dōng'àn; 8403 2131; 2nd floor, 2 Shichahai Nanyan, beers from ¥35, cocktails from ¥40; 3pm-2am;
Shichahai)
Cui Jian's saxophonist, whose quartet play here, opened this chilled venue just off
Di'anmenwai Dajie and next to Qiánhǎi Lake. It's a place to hear the best local jazz bands,
with live performances from Wednesdays to Sundays (from 10pm), in a laid-back, comfort-
able atmosphere. There's a small roof terrace open in summer with a nice view of the lake
and it's worth booking a table here on weekends, when it gets busy. There's no cover
charge.
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
( Guójiā Dājùyuàn; 6655 0000; 2 Xichang'an Jie, tickets ¥80-880; performances 7.30pm; Tian'anmen West)
Sometimes called the National Grand Theatre, this spectacular Paul Andreu-designed
dome, known to Beijingers as the 'Alien Egg', attracts as many architectural tourists as it
does music fans. But it's now
the
place to listen to classical music from home and abroad,
despite the slightly dodgy acoustics and the distance of some of the seats from the stage.
You can also watch ballet, opera and classical Chinese dance here. Regular mini-festivals
are staged, too.
|CLASSICAL MUSIC
MEI LANFANG GRAND THEATRE
( Méi Lánfāng Dàxìyuàn; 5833 1288; 32 Ping'anli Xidajie, tickets ¥50-2080; performances 7.30pm; Che-
theatre opened its doors in 2007 and has since become one of the most popular and versat-
ile venues in town. As well as traditional opera, you can see Shakespeare productions and
modern theatre. Contemporary dance companies and international ballet troupes also take
to the good-sized stage on a regular basis.
|PEKING OPERA, THEATRE
BĚIJĪNG CONCERT HALL
( Běijīng Yīnyuè Tīng; 6605 5812/7006; 1 Beixinhua Jie, tickets ¥80-880; performances 7.30pm; Ti-
an'anmen West or Xīdān)
The 2000-seat Běijīng Concert Hall showcases performances of classic-
al Chinese music as well as international repertoires of Western classical music to hushed,
knowledgeable audiences.
|CLASSICAL MUSIC
XP
|LIVE MUSIC
