Beijing opera or Peking opera is a kind of Chinese opera which arose in the mid-19th century and was extremely popular in the Qing dynasty court. It is widely regarded as the highest expression of the Chinese culture. Beijing and Tianjin are respected as the base cities of the opera in the north while Shanghai is the base in the south.

Beijing and Tianjin are respected as the base cities of the opera in the north while Shanghai is the base in the south.

[source:ebeijng.gov.cn]