The only place to see both Peking Opera highlights and acrobatics on the same night. Chaoyang Theatre offers an excellent introduction to Chinese acrobatics, a popular form of entertainment dating back 2,000 years. This is definitely Beijing’s biggest and slickest acrobatics performance. Daily hour-long performances feature the China Acrobatic Troupe-the largest such group in the country-who also perform magic. Expect to see spinning plates, trapeze artists, contortionists, tumbling acrobats, 12 girls on one bicycle and a stunning lion dance.
The Beijing Acrobatic Troupe (Beijing Zaji Tuan, 北京杂技团) is less popular than the traditional Chinese Acrobatics Show, but the performances are far better. There’s some excellent contortionism and unicycle stunts.
Beijing Worker’s Club
Address: 7 Hufang Lu, Xuanwu District Phone: 010-6352-8910
Tiandi Theatre (The Universal Theatre)
Address: 10 Dongzhimen Nandajie, Changyang District Phone: 010-6416-9893 Open Hours: 7:15-8:30 pm
The Universal Theater, a newly refurbished venue conveniently close to downtown Beijing, offers a superbly comfortable environment in which to goggle at what's happening on stage.