National Centre for the Performing Arts
Constructed in 2001 and completed in 2007, the National Centre for the Performing Arts is the capital’s centre for arts and contains an opera house. The magnificent ellipsoid dome in the centre is made up of titanium and glass. The entire giant egg-like building is surrounded by an artificial lake.
This building can host almost 5,500 people in three halls and measures about 12,000 m2. It is located to the west of Tiananmen Square and close to the Forbidden City.
The three major performance halls are: the Opera Hall for operas, ballet and dances; the Music Hall for concerts and recitals; and the Theatre Hall for plays and the Beijing Opera.