Zhengyici

　　Located at No. 220 Qianmen Xihéyán, Xuanwu District, Beijing, it borders Tiananmen Square to the east, connects to the Liulichang Cultural Street to the south, and faces the famous Beijing Hepingmen Roast Duck Restaurant to the north. It is an ancient wooden theater building with a history of over 300 years. Legend has it that it was an ancient temple from the Ming Dynasty. During the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi era, it was converted into a theater. According to the *Encyclopedia of China*, Zhengyici Theater is described as: “a complete theater building.” Its construction predates many renowned Western opera houses such as the Comédie-Française in Paris, France, and the Cowdray Park Opera House in the UK. It is the only well-preserved all-wooden theater in Beijing that remains largely intact to this day. It marks a milestone in the development history of Chinese theaters and has been praised by scholars as: “a living fossil in the cultural history of Chinese theaters,” holding great value for visitors and historical-cultural research.

　　The current site area of Zhengyici Theater is about 1,000 square meters. The entire theater structure is made of wood, facing south with the stage oriented northward. The stage is open on three sides. Opposite and alongside the stage are two-tiered, open-air boxes. There is an approximately 100-square-meter front seating area that can accommodate around 200 audience members for enjoying performances and tea.

　　Zhengyici Ancient Theater can be considered one of the most classic and atmospheric old theaters in Beijing, aside from the Palace Museum's Changle Hall and the Prince Gong Mansion Theater. The theater has both upper and lower levels; if a play involves celestial beings or immortals, actors playing these roles can descend from above. The mahogany railings of the theater shimmer brilliantly under the lights. Perhaps inspired by the Japanese Kabuki hanamichi, Zhengyici also extends a “flower path” from the stage, expanding the performers’ stage space. There are no microphones in the theater, allowing the actors' voices to remain more authentic, while also serving as a test of their vocal skills. A couplet hangs prominently at the front of the theater: “In performing joy and sorrow, separation and reunion, are not today’s stories echoes of the past? As you watch the praise and criticism, rising and falling, often among the audience sit those who are the characters.” This leaves one lost in thought. The cycle of life moves swiftly, youth never returns, and in the blink of an eye, parting comes...

　　Zhengyici

　　Zhengyici Theater has witnessed the birth, development, and flourishing of traditional Chinese opera art. Many pioneering artists of the older generation, such as Cheng Changgeng, Tan Xinpei, and Mei Qiaoling—forefathers of Chinese opera—have performed here. Many contemporary renowned artists, including Mei Baojiu and Tan Yuanshou, have also graced this theater with their performances.

　　After more than 300 years, Zhengyici Theater still radiates artistic vitality. It is not only a stage for opera performances, featuring wonderful nightly shows of Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera, Hebei Bangzi, and other genres. At the same time, with its unique cultural landscape, classical charm, and allure, it provides a warm and romantic venue for locals and international guests to hold traditional Chinese weddings, birthday celebrations, longevity ceremonies, and anniversaries such as golden and silver weddings. It has also become a new highlight of Beijing tourism and a window for promoting national culture and understanding classical Chinese life and folk customs.

　　Source: Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development