Considered a national treasure, Peking opera is said to have developed when four opera troupes came to Beijing in 1790 to entertain the emperor on his birthday. Various elements from each troupe were combined to create this fifth opera form. Through singing, dancing, mime and acrobatic martial arts and fighting, each Peking opera tells a story much like a fairy tale. Actors and actresses don richly hued robes, wigs and headdresses, and use colorful face paints to create their characters. Chinese instruments accompany the singing that expresses either negative moods like anger or sorrow or more positive ones such as happiness. As with Western opera, famous stories are performed over and over.

One of the best places to see Peking opera is at the Liyuan Theatre in the Qianmen Jianguo Hotel in the Xicheng District.