Zhengyici Peking Opera Theatre

The Zhengyici Peking Opera Theatre (Chinese: 正乙祠戏楼; Pinyin: Zhèngyǐcí Xìlóu), located on a hutong in the Xuanwu District of Beijing, is one of the best-known Beijing opera theatres. It is also one of the oldest wooden theatres in China. Zhengyici means a temple (ci) for Zhengyi Xuantan Laozu (正乙玄坛老祖). ^[1]

History

The theatre was built in 1688, during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty. It was built on the site of a Buddhist temple. It has a rich history that includes performances by the grandmaster of Peking Opera, Mei Lanfang.

After the Cultural Revolution, the theatre fell into disrepair. However, in 1995 a local businessman sponsored a full restoration. The theatre now continues to perform Beijing Opera. It is considered a living relic and one of Beijing's finest monuments.

As of August 2005, the theatre is temporarily closed for building work.

Notes

External links

• Photographs of the theatre (including a link to a map of its location)
• Zhengyici Xilou, The New York Times.