The daily show at the Liyuan Theatre, housed in the Qianmen Jianguo hotel, is aimed squarely at tourists (when Time Out visited, the audience was almost entirely Western). But as a palatable introduction for first-time opera-goers, with a video overview to the art form kicking off the night, good English subtitles, and an enthusiastic cast, it is hard to beat. the show features extracts from four different operas in a family-friendly form that kids will love; highlights include a drunken concubine, an assassin attack and appearances from Chou (clown). For the full experience, buy a ticket for the front tables, where tea and snacks are served as you watch.
Tickets from 200RMB.