Do I need a visa to travel to China?

China offers 30-day visa-free entry for citizens of several countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Malaysia. A 240-hour transit visa-free policy is also available for 53 countries. For others, a tourist visa (L Visa) is required.

What is included in a QTour private tour?

Every booking includes a private guide speaking your language (English, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish and more), private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver, all entrance fees, hotel accommodations, daily breakfast, and airport transfers. An optional photographer with DSLR and drone is available.

What is the best time to visit China?

Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-November) are the best times to visit most of China. The weather is mild, skies are clear, and crowds are smaller. Summer is ideal for Tibet and Inner Mongolia.

How much does a private China tour cost?

A private tour with 4-star hotels typically costs $150-300 per person per day, including guide, driver, vehicle, hotels, entrance fees, and domestic transport. Prices vary by itinerary length and accommodation level.

Discover the colorful world of Chinese opera — from Peking Opera to regional styles, costumes, masks, and musical traditions.

What is Chinese Opera?

Chinese opera is a comprehensive performing art combining music, singing, acting, martial arts, and acrobatics. Unlike Western opera, it emphasizes stylized movements, symbolic gestures, and elaborate costumes. There are over 300 regional opera styles across China, each with distinct musical systems, dialects, and performance conventions.

Peking Opera (Jingju)

Peking Opera is the most famous style, developed in Beijing during the Qing Dynasty. It features four role types: Sheng (male), Dan (female), Jing (painted face), and Chou (clown). Performances include singing in falsetto, acrobatic fighting, and symbolic movements. Famous operas include "Farewell My Concubine" and "The Drunken Concubine."

Face Painting (Lianpu)

Facial makeup in Chinese opera uses specific colors to indicate character traits: Red for loyalty and bravery, Black for integrity, White for treachery, Blue for stubbornness, and Gold/Silver for gods and demons. The patterns are highly stylized and take hours to apply. Face painting is an art form in itself.

Regional Opera Styles

Kunqu Opera: The oldest surviving form, known for elegant, refined performances. Yue Opera: Popular in Zhejiang, featuring all-female casts. Sichuan Opera: Famous for face-changing (bian lian) technique. Cantonese Opera: Influenced Hong Kong cinema. Each region developed unique musical instruments, vocal styles, and story repertoires.

Experiencing Chinese Opera

Beijing: Liyuan Theatre and Chang'an Grand Theatre offer regular Peking Opera performances with English subtitles. Shanghai: Yifu Theatre presents Yue Opera. Chengdu: Shufeng Yayun Teahouse features Sichuan Opera with face-changing. Many performances last 2-3 hours; arrive early for the full experience.