DK Travel : Beijing : History & Culture

Beijing : History & Culture

Classical music

Take the chance to attend a Chinese orchestral performance if at all possible. Sections of unfamiliar plucked string, bowed string, woodwind, and percussion instruments compete for attention in swirling arrangements. The main venues are the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Zhong Shan Park and the National Grand Theater (see National Grand Theater).
Colors

The colors of the performers’ painted faces symbolize the individual characters’ qualities. Red, for example, represents loyalty and courage. Purple stands for solemnity and a sense of justice, green for bravery and irascibility.
Crossbow

Better range, accuracy, and penetration than the standard bow.
Dan

Dan are the female roles. Laodan are old ladies and caidan the female comedians, while wudan are the martial artists. The most important category, qingyi, usually play respectable and decent ladies in elegant costumes.
Decimal system

Developed alongside the writing system and led to mathematical advances.
East Pioneer Theater

Occasional two-hour highlights shows.
Farewell My Concubine

(Chen Kaige; 1993) The film that really put Chinese cinema back on the map.
Gunpowder

Stumbled on by Daoist alchemists seeking the elixir of life.
Hero

(Zhang Yimou; 2002) Martial arts waltz that to date is the most successful film ever made in China.
Hu Guang Hui Guan

Daily one-hour highlights shows.