China's largest imperial theatre reopens

The Deheyuan Garden, which is home to the largest imperial theater in China, has reopened to the public after 18 months of restoration.

Deheyuan literally means the garden of virtue and harmony. The building complex has four courtyards set on a traditional south-north axis. The Grand Theater is the main building, and was one of Empress Dowager's favorite places to watch Peking Opera. Its construction began in the 1890s under the reign of Emperor Guangxu. The wooden three-story theatre stage comprises a delicate design and magnificent structure.

The scale of this restoration has been the largest ever in six decades. The work has addressed many issues, such as renovating the main buildings and upgrading the security system and fire control. All of it has aimed to preserve the original designs and structures.

"The highlight is definitely the Hall of Nurtured Joy, which faces the Grand Theatre and was the place where Empress Dowager Cixi watched Peking Opera," said Liu Yuan, Director of Summer Palace Construction Centre. "It used to be closed, but now visitors get to see the luxurious seats. We had a lot of help from experts to retain the original structure."

The Summer Palace is also holding an exhibition featuring Peking opera costumes and props in collaboration with the Palace Museum. With 128 pieces, it takes visitors on a tour of the development of Peking Opera, set in the background of the late Qing Dynasty about a century ago.

Visitors have until July 25th to witness the past of Peking Opera in all its authentic glory.