The stage adaptation of Food is Heaven, produced by the National Theatre of China, premiered successfully in Beijing on June 10. Based on the acclaimed novel, the play follows two generations of master chefs and explores a century of culinary culture in Lingnan (a region in southern China covering Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong and Macao) through stories of mentorship, tradition and innovation.

The world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic will return to Shanghai, joined by superstar pianist Lang Lang and acclaimed conductor Tugan Sokhiev. Featuring masterpieces by Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms and Tchaikovsky, the two-night concert series promises a journey through the heart of the Austro-German classical tradition, performed by one of the world’s most celebrated orchestras. Dates: Oct 19 and 20 Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center [Photo/Official WeChat account of Shanghai Oriental Art Center]

The acclaimed dance drama Awakening Lion captivated audiences at the Hainan Provincial Song and Dance Theatre in Haikou on Saturday. As China’s first large-scale production inspired by the national intangible cultural heritage of Guangdong Lion Dance, it brings this centuries-old tradition to life through powerful choreography, expressive storytelling, and striking stage design.

Long after the curtain fell, Peking Opera master Yuan Shihai continued rehearsing through life's quiet moments, humming melodies on evening walks and refining every role he embodied. As we mark the 110th anniversary of his birth, we honor a legendary artist whose passion, discipline, and legacy continue to inspire generations of performers and audiences alike.

Share your perspective on China's cultural heritage with the world. Photo and video submissions are now open through Sept 30, 2026.

Two pistols. One warning. A tragedy waiting to unfold. Opening this year's Huichang Theatre Season 004 in Jiangxi province, director Travis Preston's powerful staging of Hedda Gabler brings fresh intensity to Henrik Ibsen's classic. With the pistols visible from the very beginning, fate looms over every scene as Hedda's desire for freedom, control and beauty drives her toward a devastating end.

A highlight of the 19th Beautiful Times Intangible Cultural Heritage Performance Season at Prince Kung’s Palace Museum in Beijing has brought together two of China’s oldest musical traditions: the guqin and Nanyin. Sharing roots that trace back over a thousand years, these art forms engaged in a rare musical dialogue, blending literati elegance with ancient melodies and offering audiences a captivating journey through China’s living cultural heritage. The guqin, a seven-string plucked zither long associated with Chinese scholars, and Nanyin, a traditional musical tradition from southern Fujian province, are both regarded as living treasures of China's musical heritage.

After a three-year wait, the dance drama Dragon Boat Racing will return to the stage! Set in a historic town in Guangdong during the 1930s, the dance drama follows generations of musicians dedicated to preserving and passing on the beloved Cantonese classic Dragon Boat Racing to Win the Brocade. Through love, sacrifice, and changing times, their story unfolds in a stunning blend of dance, music, and visual artistry, celebrating the enduring spirit of Lingnan (a region in southern China covering Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong and Macao) culture. [Photo/Official WeChat account of Guangdong Opera House] Venue: Guangzhou Opera House Dates: Aug 7 and 8

What did Bach’s Sixth Cello Suite — the monumental “Great Cello Suite”— sound like when Bach himself first heard it? On June 26, the Co-Principal Viola of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Jiang Wenhan will explore that question using a rare Baroque shoulder cello, alongside a modern viola, in a program spanning more than 300 years of musical history. Joining him is acclaimed violinist Li Lun, who will perform on both an 18th-century gut-string violin and a modern steel-string instrument. Together, they will present works by Gibbons and Martinu, creating a fascinating dialogue between old and new, tradition and innovation, across four remarkable instruments. [Photo/Official WeChat account of Forbidden City Concert Hall]

A new Shaoju Opera production, He Zhizhang, made its debut at Xiaoshan Theatre in Hangzhou on Tuesday, opening the 2026 Xiaoshan Youth Drama Week. The production blends powerful Shaoju Opera singing with modern stage design, bringing the Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet’s life to vibrant new audiences. A promising step in keeping traditional opera alive for future generations. Shaoju Opera, also known as Shaoxing Opera, is a regional form of Chinese opera from Shaoxing, Zhejiang. It is distinguished by its forceful music, exaggerated singing, and bold movements.

A night of unforgettable music in Beijing! Marking the 120th anniversary of Dmitri Shostakovich's birth, the China National Symphony Orchestra brought Russian classics to life with conductor Aurel Dawidiuk and pianist Song Siheng on June 6. From the brilliance of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No 1 to the emotional power of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 5, the concert captivated audiences and ended with a standing ovation.

A timeless masterpiece is back! Produced and presented by Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre, Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Death of a Salesman will return this August! Experience the powerful story of Willy Loman — his dreams, struggles and humanity — in one of the greatest plays of the 20th century. Venue: Shanghai Grand Theatre Dates: Aug 7 to 9 [Photo/Official WeChat account of Shanghai Grand Theatre]

The inaugural Showcase of Outstanding Repertories by China Theatre Plum Blossom award-winning artists concluded in Shanghai on May 31, marking a significant step in bringing Chinese opera to global audiences and establishing a new platform for international cultural exchange. With artists, scholars and audiences from over 40 countries, the event proved that great storytelling transcends borders and connects cultures across generations.

The Hangzhou Yueju Opera Theatre presented A Showcase of Diverse Schools at the Tianchan Yifu Theatre in Shanghai on Saturday. Featuring three generations of outstanding performers, the program brought together 10 classic excerpts and adapted works, highlighting the richness of major Yueju Opera schools in a single spectacular evening, warmly received by local audiences.

Adapted from Love in a Fallen City, the celebrated novella by literary icon Eileen Chang (1920-95), this acclaimed stage production will return to Beijing with its 5th Anniversary Special Edition. Set against the turmoil of 1940s Shanghai and Hong Kong, the story follows Bai Liusu and Fan Liuyuan as love, survival, and fate intertwine amid a world in upheaval. Catch this powerful production at the Beijing Performing Arts Centre from June 12 to 14. [Photo/Official WeChat account of National Centre for the Performing Arts]

Based on Tian Gong Kai Wu (The Exploitation of the Works of Nature), the groundbreaking 1637 Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) encyclopedia by Song Yingxing (1587-1661), this dance drama under the same name brings ancient Chinese science, craftsmanship, and innovation to life. Through powerful choreography and visual storytelling, it traces Song’s life journey and celebrates the ingenuity behind traditional technology, agriculture, and engineering. A stunning fusion of history, aesthetics, and stage art. Dates: Aug 21 and 22 Venue: Shengjing Grand Theatre, Shenyang, Liaoning province [Photo/Official WeChat account of Shengjing Grand Theatre]

From banyan-tree gatherings to world-class theater, Huichang in Jiangxi province is transforming summer nights into a celebration of culture and creativity. Led by renowned director Stan Lai, the Huichang Theater Season brings global performances, classic plays, and artistic exchange to Jiangxi, proving great theater can thrive anywhere.

The 2026 Zhongyuan Cultural Stage season opened in Xuchang, Henan province, with the celebrated Yuju Opera Taming of the Princess (Da Jinzhi) at Xudu Grand Theatre on Wednesday. One of China's most popular regional opera forms, Yuju Opera is renowned for its expressive singing and rich storytelling. The classic play tells a tale of family conflict, imperial grace, and reconciliation during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), ending in a joyful reunion. The performance is one of 26 productions scheduled for this year's cultural program.

Three years after her last appearance at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, internationally acclaimed pianist Yuja Wang made a triumphant return to the capital on June 1, captivating audiences with a dazzling solo recital that reaffirmed her place among the most electrifying artists in classical music today. The performance was a masterclass in versatility and imagination. Moving effortlessly from the passion of the Romantic era to the shimmering colors of Impressionism and the bold voices of contemporary music, Wang wove the program into a single, uninterrupted journey. Rather than presenting a sequence of standalone works, she crafted an expansive musical narrative, revealing unexpected connections between composers, centuries and emotional worlds, and carrying the audience through a richly textured landscape of sound and storytelling. #WangYujia

Three jazz masters, nine Grammy Awards, and 43 nominations — John Patitucci, Chris Potter, and Brian Blade will make their debut appearance together in Shanghai on Aug 23. Performing music from their acclaimed album Spirit Fall, the trio will deliver an unforgettable evening of original works, reimagined classics, and spontaneous improvisation at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. [Photo/Official WeChat account of Shanghai Oriental Art Center] @JohnJPatitucci @chrispotterjazz @BrianBlade