Beijing 2024 - Summer Palace (颐和园) De He Yuan Garden Theatre

 

I thought seeing a three storey ancient theatre was kinda special when I visited the Forbidden City, so when I walked into the 颐和园, I wasn't expecting to see another gigantic theatre there! How many such theatre are there in the whole of China? How is it they love their opera so much? Lol.

Walking in to the unassuming entrance. I love those dark green doors and red pillars.

I guess this must be the lobby area. It looked more like a resting area, a living room. Hence at this point, I still thought I was just visiting another grand mansion or courtyard.

Walking further in to the open courtyard and there you go! In all it's glory, another three storey theatre right in the middle of Summer Palace. I personally thought the one here was cooler looking than the one at the Forbidden City. It looked kinda newer, or better maintained? Or maybe it was more minimalistic, hence giving it a more modern and spacious look? It just somehow felt lighter, and free-er. 

Up closed view of all the chinese characters hanging on every level of the stage.

There were some old man just standing there testing the acoustic of the theatre with their vocals. No doubt everyone in China is secret opera singer! Their voice were pretty solid. And yes, the acoustic was solid as well, since they didn't have any mic or speaker system back in those days. 

The theatre were surrounded by corridors filled with little rooms. Box seats!

Here is a cute view of them. I love looking at these. Hence that's one of the reason I like the theatre here better. It has private box seats where you could just sit alone and drink tea while watching the show! How cool is that? Perhaps opera those days runs for hours! I sure hope the weather is cooling!

I also wonder if each box is a dedicated box for a person. That way, you could even decorate the box to your liking. Hanging your favourite painting or flower arrangements. Perhaps even storing your favourite book there, or even snacks! I hope the walls are sound proof too, so you don't have to hear the chatter from the next box.

Somehow I think I might be right? Each box does seems to have their own deco and table arrangements. 

Perhaps they even have their meals here? I'm sure there are enough servants and cooks to support the royal families?

Some official info for your reference. 

I guess what happened in the past, it's secrets are locked there. I'm sure there are documentation of the daily lives here, but are there cross reference evidences to support the whispers of business or gossips that goes round here in the privacy of each theatre box? What a mystery.