Tucked away from the main tourist areas in the Garden of Virtue and Harmony building complex
is the Opera House or Grand Theatre, situated in a very calm, peaceful and extremely beautiful area of its own.
This is the back of the building
The photos above and below show the individual rooms near the stage of the Opera House, it is easy to imagine the members of the Empress's Court enjoying an evening watching the Peking Opera.
The Empress Cixi loved Opera and would have watched the performances from the Hall of Nurtured Joy which is situated directly opposite the stage, this building was not open to the public when we visited, but peeping through the window we saw the couches covered in yellow silk which would have been used by the Empress.
The Stage :)
Bats on a door decoration. Bats in the Chinese culture are symbols of happiness and joy. Five bats together as seen in the centre of the photo represent the Five Blessings, which are long life, wealth, health, love of virtue and a peaceful death.
Some of the many beautiful decorations that can be seen all round the Opera House area, every one is different, all are just gorgeous - I wonder how many hours were spent painting these?
The Golden Dragon is a frequently seen decoration in the Imperial Buildings, I love them, they just look so happy!
A small courtyard near the Opera House
A beautifully decorated small pavilion.
No tourists, only us!!
The head of a Dragon Boat :)
The gorgeous Marble Boat, built in 1755, and rebuilt in 1893 after the original was burnt down.
The superstructure is made of wood in the French style.
My daughter and my friend on one of the amazing bridges in the gardens.
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