With the Great Hall of the People to its east, the National Centre for the Performing Arts is located in Chang'an Avenue West. The NCPA (originally named National Grand Theater), designed by French architect Paul Andrew, includes the main building (containing three performing venues: the Opera House, the Concert Hall, the Theater), the underwater corridors, the underground garage, the artificial lake and the green space. It covers an area of about 118,900 sq meters (about 142,203 sq yard); and the total area of building is about 217,500 sq km (about 260,127 sq yard). The whole project started from December 2001. After more than 5 years' construction, it was finally completed in September, 2007. Now it is believed to be the deepest architecture in Beijing (the deepest place of the center is -32.5 meters, equivalent to the height of a 10-floor building.). National Centre for the Performing Arts presents a sharp contrast to its surroundings with its oval exterior, which makes it very eye-catching. 
The Oval Exterior of the National Centre
for the Performing Arts
Symphonies, dance shows, ballets, dramas, operas and other kinds of performances are frequently staged in National Centre for the Performing Arts. If time is allowed, you can enjoy any shows that you like. The NCPA visiting tour includes art exhibitions, thematic activities, as well as facilities. You will both appreciate the magnificent architectural style and enjoy the profound art environment of thematic exhibitions here.
The Exterior
The exterior of National Centre for the Performing Arts, like a steel-structured oval shell, is an ingenious material integration of over 18,000 titanium plates and over 1,000 sheets of ultra-white glass, which creates a vivid visual effect as if the curtain is drawn apart slowly before your eyes. With the weight of 6,457 tons and the 212.2- meter longest axis, the steel-structured oval shell is the largest dome in the world at present. Surrounding the centre is a crystal-like artificial lake taking an area of 35,500 square meters. By the use of high technology, it will not ice in winter and the algae won't grow in it in summer either. National Centre for the Performing Arts and its reflection in water add radiance and charm to each other. All the passages and entrances are built underwater. When you walk into the center, a layer of water is above your head, which will also give you a special felling. Around the lake is a 39,000-sqare-meters greenbelt, which is free of charge. People wander there to feel the valuable tranquility in a busy city. 
The Night View of the Theatre
Three Performance Venues
The Opera House, the Concert Hall and the Theater are the three performance venues inside the center. They are separated houses, yet are connected by air corridors. 
The National Centre for the Performing Arts
Seen at a Distance
Opera House:
The Opera House with golden color as its main hue is the most magnificent building inside National Centre for the Performing Arts. Operas, dance dramas, ballets, and large-scale shows stage here. It has 2091 seats; and the tickets for standing room are also available. The arc-shaped metal-net wall of the auditorium allows lights and shadows changing according to the development of the performance. The audience will easily immerse themselves in the artistic atmosphere. The seamless ballet stage is believed to be the largest one in China, whose surface is made of Oregon timber. The three-layer structure of the stage makes it have possibly the best resilience and provides the best protect to the dancers' feet. Concert Hall:
By the east side of the Opera House sits the Concert hall where the large-scale symphonies and Chinese traditional music are performed. The silver white color makes it elegant and serene. Auditorium is around the stage, which makes it possible for the audience to enjoy performances from any angle. The ceiling of the hall rolling like waves is propitious to the diffusion of the sound. All the specialized designs realize the perfect integration between architectural and acoustic aesthetics. 1859 seats are available here.
One thing cannot be missed that the pipe organ placed in the hall with 94 stops and an impressive array of 6,500 pipes is the largest one in Asia. It is the most valuable treasure in the Concert Hall. Theater:
The design of the theater has a distinct Chinese traditional style, where traditional Chinese operas, stage plays and national songs and dances primarily perform. 957 seats are set here, excluded the orchestra. The Zhejiang's silk on the walls are flameproof, full of strong Chinese traditional taste. The advanced stage can not only satisfy the special needs of Chinese traditional opera's performance but also highlight the closeness between the audience and the performers.
Auditorium
Air inlets of the air conditions are built under the seats. While seeing the performances, the audience will not feel the wind but will enjoy the coolness. What's more, noise elimination equipments are also installed. No noise will be made when you have to leave while the performance is going on.
Official Website: http://www.chncpa.org/n457779/index.html
| Admission Fee: | Daily visit: CNY 30/person; Opera Festival visit: CNY 40/person * CNY140 for Through Tickets of Beijing Landmark Tour, including the National Centre for Performing Arts, the CCTV Tower, the Beijing National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center; the ticket is valid for one month. | |
| To Buy ticket for a show: | 1. Buy tickets at the ticket office at the north gate (9:30 - 18:30) 2. Daily booking hotline +86 10 66550000 (9:30 - 20:00) | |
| Ticket Office: | North Gate | |
| Opening Hours: | Monday closed | |
| Subway: | Subway Line 1: get off at Tiananmen West Station and get out of the station from Exit C (southwest exit). There is an underground passageway to the theater directly. | |
| Bus Route: | Bus 1, 10, 37,52, 205, 728 to Tiananmen West Station | |
Related link: 2012 Performance Schedule
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