While Cultural Keys can be considered your go-to for a variety of traditional Chinese culture activities, there are of course plenty of other fun and interesting cultural events happening around the capital every month!
For anyone currently residing in Beijing, you know that many locations have been closed and events postponed. But with fingers crossed, and hope that things will get back to normal as soon as possible, here’s our round-up of activities connected with Chinese language and culture for May in Beijing!
Please note: Cultural Keys is in no way affiliated with any of the events or organisations listed in this article, unless explicitly stated. We offer no guarantee about the quality of any third party events, and strongly suggest interested participants contact the relevant organizers to clarify event details, including COVID-19-related requirements, before attending.
Exhibition: One Home For All Ethnicities – Traditional Chinese Painting Exhibition 中华民族一家亲 中国画作品展
Date: April 14th – May 10th 2022
Location: National Art Museum of China | No. 1 Wusi Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 中国国家美术馆 | 北京市东城区五四大街1号
Time: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 – 17:00 (Last admission at 16:00)
Price: Free
Payment: Reservation required via online platform: http://www.namoc.org/ucenter/bookInfo
Language: English and Chinese
This exhibition aims to present the historical and cultural traditions of the Chinese nation and to demonstrate modern national culture. This exhibition includes nearly 80 works of Chinese paintings with ethnic themes.
Exhibition: The Returning Sculptor – Retrospective Exhibition of Xiong Bingming 塑者归来——熊秉明艺术回顾展
Date: April 15th – May 11th 2022
Location: National Art Museum of China | No. 1 Wusi Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 中国国家美术馆 | 北京市东城区五四大街1号
Time: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 – 17:00 (Last admission at 16:00)
Price: Free
Payment: Reservation required via online platform: http://www.namoc.org/ucenter/bookInfo
Language: English and Chinese
Xiong Bingming (1922-2002) was a famous French-Chinese artist and philosopher who lived in France for more than 50 years. He was a culturally conscious person who integrated Chinese and Western cultures in the 20th century, and practiced and realized Tao through philosophy, literature and art. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Mr. Xiong Bingming’s birth. The exhibition displays 165 works of Xiong Bingming’s sculptures, calligraphy, prints, oil paintings, sketches and related documents. These works and documents were donated by Xiong Bingming’s family and Yang Zhenning and his wife to the National Art Museum of China.
Exhibition: From Sight to Insight – The Retrospective of Yang Minyi’s Art & Documents 能见大义——杨明义艺术与文献展
Date: April 17th – May 11th 2022
Location: National Art Museum of China | No. 1 Wusi Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 中国国家美术馆 | 北京市东城区五四大街1号
Time: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 – 17:00 (Last admission at 16:00)
Price: Free
Payment: Reservation required via online platform: http://www.namoc.org/ucenter/bookInfo
Language: English and Chinese
Yang Mingyi (1943-), studied at the Advanced Course of Printmaking Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1980. From 1987 to 1998, he studied in the United States. This exhibition showcases more than 100 pieces of ink and color ink works created by Yang Mingyi, as well as collections of calligraphy and painting, which are divided into three sections: artistic creation, artistic communication and artistic life. Among them, the art creation section consists of four chapters: “Water Village Qingyun”, “Home in Jiangnan”, “Exotic Scenery” and “Garden Lotus Language”; It consists of four chapters; the art life section focuses on displaying the artist’s artistic career with graphic materials, correspondence and works donated by many famous masters.
Workshop: Experience the charm of Chinese national fashion in Ji Xiaolan’s former residence – Cloisonne enamel brooch making workshop 纪晓岚故居里体验国潮手工魅力 – 制作掐丝珐琅胸针课程
Date: May 1st – 31st 2022
Location: Ji Xiaolan’s Former Residence | No. 241, Zhushikou West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 纪晓岚故居 | 北京市西城区珠市口西大街241号
Time: Every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday 10:00 – 19:00
Price: 268RMB per person
Payment: Reservation required via online platform:
http://t.dianping.com/deal/714494517
Language: Chinese
In Ji Xiaolan’s former residence there is a hidden handicraft workshop where you can learn to make a cloisonne enamel brooch. Children can also attend with their parents to experience the charm of Chinese handicrafts. Accompanied by the music of traditional stringed and woodwind instruments, finish a cloisonne enamel brooch, and feel as though you are in dialogue with Ji Xiaolan across time and space.
Opera: Peking Opera Changbanpo · Hanjinkou 青春风采”青年京剧人才展演：北京京剧院京剧《长坂坡 · 汉津口》
Date: May 1st 2022
Location: National Grand Theater | Beijing Xicheng District West Chang ‘an Avenue No. 2 国家大剧院 | 北京市西城区西长安街2号
Time: 19:30 – 21:30
Price: 160/200/240RMB per person
Payment: Reservation required via online platform:
http://ticket.chncpa.org/product-1089264.html#2022-05-01
Language: Chinese
Changbanpo · Hanjinkou tells the story of a famous battle between Liu Bei of Shu State and Cao Cao of Wei State during the Three Kingdoms period. The performance is one of the programs of the “Youth Style” youth Peking Opera talent show. The performance is performed by Zhou Enxu, a young Peking Opera performer. Zhou Enxu is an outstanding young martial artist of the Beijing Peking Opera Mei Lanfang Peking Opera Troupe. In 2014, he studied with Ye Jinyuan, a famous Peking Opera artist.
Opera: Peking Opera Qin Xianglian 青春风采 青年京剧人才展演：北京京剧院京剧《秦香莲》
Date: May 2nd 2022
Location: National Grand Theater | Beijing Xicheng District West Chang ‘an Avenue No. 2 国家大剧院 | 北京市西城区西长安街2号
Time: 19:30 – 21:30
Price: 160/200/240RMB per person
Payment: Reservation required via online platform:
http://ticket.chncpa.org/product-1089281.html#2022-05-02
Language: Chinese
This performance is one of the programs of the “Youth Style” youth Peking Opera talent show. It tells the tragic love story of a woman named Qin Xianglian.
Opera: Peking Opera Wangjiang Pavilion 青春风采 青年京剧人才展演：北京京剧院京剧《望江亭》
Date: May 3rd 2022
Location: National Grand Theater | Beijing Xicheng District West Chang ‘an Avenue No. 2 国家大剧院 | 北京市西城区西长安街2号
Time: 19:30 – 21:30
Price: 160/200/240RMB per person
Payment: Reservation required via online platform:
http://ticket.chncpa.org/product-1089283.html#2022-05-03
Language: Chinese
This performance is one of the programs of the “Youth Style” youth Peking Opera talent show. Through this performance, the audience can not only experience the charm of traditional Peking Opera, but also witness the inheritance of traditional culture by contemporary Chinese youth. This opera is the story of Tan Jier’s use of tactics against the powerful Yang Yanei, and shows off Tan Jier’s wit.
Opera: Yue Opera Censor of Zouma 越剧《走马御史》
Date: May 7th 2022
Location:National Grand Theater | Beijing Xicheng District West Chang ‘an Avenue No. 2 国家大剧院 | 北京市西城区西长安街2号
Time: 19:30
Price: 80/160/240/320/400RMB per person
Payment: Reservation required via online platform:
http://ticket.chncpa.org/product-1089294.html#2022-05-07
Language: Chinese
Performed by Ningbo Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe, an innovative troup that has cultivated a group of outstanding Yue Opera successors, this opera is about Chen He, the censor of the Northern Song Dynasty, who was not afraid of power, fought against corruption, advocated integrity, and enforced the law impartially.
East Meets West 东方遇到西方
Date: May 21st 2022
Location: Chaoyang Park, Beijing | 朝阳公园, 北京
Time: 10.00am-12.00pm
Price: 100RMB per person
Payment: Reservation required via online platform: https://www.thatsmandarin.com/2022-east-meets-west/
Language: English and Chinese
Join That’s Mandarin for a fun morning packed with action games and opportunities to practice your Chinese! Learn and debate the contrasts between Eastern and Western culture. They’re teaming up with a Chinese university, so Chinese students will join in, and all adult students are welcome!
Family Day Out: Bespoke’s Beihai Park Scavenger Hunt Booklet
Date: Any time
Location: Beihai Park | 北海公园
Price: 150RMB
Payment: Scan the QR code below to buy
Language: English
Bespoke Travel’s first ‘do it yourself’ tour comes in the form of a stylish booklet that will guide you through the capital’s oldest park, challenging you to find the answers to clues as you go, and slowly revealing Beihai’s incredible 1000-year history, hidden corners and biggest secrets!
What events are you looking forward to this month? Let us know in the comments below. We always love hearing your thoughts and insights!
Photo Credits
– The organisers
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Cultural Keys helps people access, understand and experience the traditional culture of China. Click the image above to read more about Cultural Keys and what we can do for you, your school, company or organisation to help you get more out of your time in China!