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National Centre of the Performing Arts (NCPA)

Nowadays, a new attraction - National Centre of the Performing Arts (abbr. NCPA) jumps into most visitors' eyes. The modern construction, an eggshell design, definitely leaves a deep impression to all people. Seemly it is breeding of a promising future, which awaits to make a breakthrough.

With an excellent location to the west of Tiananmen Square and the Great Hall of the People, it is very near the Forbidden City. For the exterior view, the surface of the centre is made of titanium and glass and surrounded by an artificial lake, so more likely lots of people would call it Pearl on Water. Totally it can seat 5,452 people in three halls and is almost 12,000 square meters in size. Designed by French architect Paul Andreu, its construction started in December 2001 and the inaugural concert was held in December 2007.


National Centre of the Performing Arts National Centre of the Performing Arts
Surrounded by an artificial lake, the beautiful Centre likes a pearl floating on the lake. awesome exterior view of the centre at dusk

Internally, there are five major performance halls: Opera House, Concert Hall, Theater Hall, Multi-functional Theatre and the Fifth Space.


Opera House

The 2,398-seat (SRO included) Opera House is NCPA's largest venue and boasts the most advanced staging equipment available for operas and dance dramas. The China's largest ballet stage in this hall is seamless, whose surface is made of Oregon timber.

Concert Hall

Exuding an air of serenity and refinement, the silver white Concert Hall is the venue for mainly large symphonic and national music performances. The audience can enjoy all performances from any angle. The Hall can seat an audience of 2,019, including the venue of SRO. The pipe organ, the most valuable treasure of hall, with 94 stops and 6,500 pipes is the largest pipe in Asia.

Theater Hall

The 1,035-seat (with SRO) Theatre with a distinct Chinese traditional style, is equipped with hi-tech, theatrical staging and audio visual equipment. It will mainly host modern dramas, Peking Opera and traditional Chinese operas.

Multi-functional Theatre

The Multi-functional Theatre has 556 seats in total,including removable seats. Its fresh yet elegant style suits chamber music, small scale solo and vocal solo, drama and modern dance.

The Fifth Space

Among the venues at the NCPA are a host of public spaces that are designed to amaze and stimulate. Jointly known as "The Fifth Space", they include the Underwater Corridor, the Olive Hall, the Grand Foyer, exhibition halls as well as roof terrace area.


National Centre of the Performing Arts Opera House National Centre of the Performing Arts Concert Hall
Grand Opera House Elegant Concert Hall owns the Asian largest pipe organ, which was especially made by German.

National Centre of the Performing Arts of Beijing, stands the highest level of performing house in China, counterparting with famous Broadway Theatre of New York city. As the most bright spiritual symbol, National Centre of the Performing Arts once was highly praised by USA Today as a strong evidence for increasing comprehensive strenghs of China for its perfect modern architecture and highest status in Performing Arts and Music.


NCPA 2012 Performance Schedule - Second Half


Performance Date Venue Duration Price
Oxford College Choir Concert Opening Concert of NCPA August Chorus Festival 2012 Aug. 02 Concert Hall 105 mins VIP/200/120/60 RMB
Concert Version of Aida A Co-production of NCPA and New National Theatre of Japan Aug.03 - 05 Opera House - VIP/500/450/400/350/
220/160/100 RMB
Hanoch Levin's Drama Requiem International Theatre Classics Series Aug.13 - 15 Theatre -
VIP/360/300/240/
160/120/80 RMB
NHK Symphony Orchestra Concert Sep.01 Concert Hall 105 mins VIP/880/760/650/
500/350/200 RMB
Valery Gergiev and Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra Concert Sep.15 - 16 Concert Hall 105 mins VIP/980/880/780/
600/4000/200 RMB
Vladimir Ashkenazy and Sydney Symphony Orchestra Concert Oct.19 Concert Hall 105 mins -
The Outskirts of Moscow at Night: The 21st Century Male Choir of Russia Concert Oct.23 Concert Hall 105 mins -
Polish National Symphony Concert Polish Art Week Oct. 31 Concert Hall 105 mins -
A Sadler's Wells London / Sylvie Guillem Production 6000 Miles Away with Sylvie Guillem Nov.12 - 13 Opera House 105 mins VIP/680/600/550/
450/280/220/160 RMB
Lang Lang Piano Recital Dec.27 Concert Hall 105 mins -

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