Mandarin Go | Peking Opera,the National Opera of China

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Beijing Opera or Peking opera is a form of traditional Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics. It arose in the late 18th century and became fully developed and recognized by the mid-19th century. The form was extremely popular in the Qing（清）Dynasty court and has come to be regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China. Major performance troupes are based in Beijing and Tianjin in the north, and Shanghai in the south. The art form is also enjoyed in Taiwan, Where it is known as Guoju（国剧）. It has also spread to other countries such as the United States and Japan.

Beijing opera features four main types of performers. Performing troupes often have several of each variety, as well as numerous secondary and tertiary performers. With their elaborate and colorful costumes, performers are the only focal points on Beijing opera's characteristically sparse stage. They utilize the skills of speech, song, dance, and combat in movements that are symbolic and suggestive, rather than realistic. Above all else, the skill of performers is evaluated according to the beauty of their movements. Performers also adhere to a variety of stylistic conventions that help audiences navigate the plot of the production. The layers of meaning within each movement must be expressed in time with music. The music of Beijing opera can be divided into the Xipi（西皮）and Erhuang（二黄）styles. Melodies include arias, fixed-tune melodies, and percussion patterns. The repertoire of Beijing opera includes over 1400 works, which are based on Chinese history, folklore, and, increasingly, contemporary life.

Actors have their faces painted in particular styles according to the character they are playing so that the audience can tell whether they are good or evil. For example, the face of Justice Bao or Bao Gong is always painted black while the face of Guan Gong red. Both are famous characters in Beijing Opera. Bao Gong represents justice. Guan Gong represents loyalty. 

The roles of the Beijing Opera can be divided broadly into male roles called sheng 生（shēng）, the older male secondary roles called mo 末（mò）, famale roles called dan 旦（dàn）, brash and hot-tempered male characters called jing 净（jìng）but popolarly known as hualian 花脸（huāliǎn）, and clowns called chou 丑（chǒu).

The most famous actor of the Beijing Opera in modern times was Mei Lanfang, a male performer well known for playing female roles. He was consiedred a ' national treasure'.