If You Like - Beijing - page 39

798 Art District A maze of galleries devoted to the weird and wonderful world of
Chinese contemporary art; be prepared to be alternatively bemused and captivated. ( CLICK
HERE )
Poly Art Museum The place to see some of the ancient treasures, including incredible
bronzes, that weren't pillaged by invading armies in the 19th Century. ( CLICK HERE )
Běijīng Police Museum Brothels, opium dens, class traitors, gangsters and spies; the past
and present Běijīng underworld revealed in all its fascinating, sometimes gruesome, glory.
( CLICK HERE )
Military Museum Something of a propaganda exercise perhaps, but plenty of detail on
China's martial past and lots and lots of guns, swords, tanks, missiles and planes. ( CLICK
HERE )
Běijīng Ancient Architecture Museum Little-visited but excellent museum housed in a
former Ming-dynasty temple that offers a great guide to how the imperial city was built. (
CLICK HERE )
Red Gate Gallery The original gallery devoted to modern Chinese art, and still a trail-
blazer in the artists it showcases. ( CLICK HERE )
National Museum of China Newly renovated, extensive trawl through 5000 years of
Chinese history and culture. ( CLICK HERE )
Chinese Performing Arts
Tiānqiáo Acrobatics Theatre Perhaps the finest tumbling, spinning, high-wire-walking
show in town, and less touristy than other venues. ( CLICK HERE )
Húguǎng Guild Hall Fantastic, historic venue for Peking Opera, with the audience close
to the action and superb balconies overlooking the stage. ( CLICK HERE )
National Centre for the Performing Arts One of the key hubs of Běijīng cultural life, as
well as one of the city's most striking buildings, with China's top orchestras and classical
dance troupes regular performers. ( CLICK HERE )
Lao She Teahouse A little bit of everything takes place here on a nightly basis: Peking
Opera, shadow-puppet and folk-music performances especially, but also crosstalk: tradi-
tional Běijīng stand-up comedy. ( CLICK HERE )
China Puppet Theatre Shadowplay and puppetry every weekend, and a great place to
take kids who've had enough of sightseeing. ( CLICK HERE )