Liyuan Theatre is co-run by the Beijing Qianmen Hotel and Peking Opera Theatre where performers offer a wide repertoire of Peking Opera routines. Sometimes the audience members are allowed to enter the make-up room and watch actors apply their elaborate costume make-up. You don't need to worry about the language as all the pieces are majorly performed with gestures and martial art skills.

Peking Opera (Jing Ju in Chinese pronunciation) is a form of traditional Chinese opera which combines singing, music, performing, dance and martial arts. The art was influenced by local dialect, as well as the artistic styles and expressions of other local operas, particularly singing. It arose in the late 18th century and became fully developed and recognised by the mid-19th century. The form was extremely popular in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) court and has come to be regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China.