Beijing

Ancient opera

Elements from Hanju Opera, one of the ancient local operas in China with a history of 400 years, are being exhibited in Beijing. More than 20 items from the genre, including costumes, accessories, literature and stage sets, are on display. A 200-year-old wooden statue of Mi Yingxian, one of the opera's most famous performers in the late 18th century, is being shown to the public for the first time. Until May 25, actors from the Wuhan Hanju Opera House will also perform at the exhibition.

The exhibition will run until June 20. National Center for the Performing Arts, No 2 West Chang'an Jie (Avenue), Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6655-0000.

Celebrating heritage

A biennial photography exhibition celebrates the diversity of China's cultural heritage with some 150 images on display. The show presents a spectrum of folklore and traditional crafts that are "living fossils of living experiences passed down by ancestors". A photograph shows the sacred rituals held at the tulou, circular compounds commonly seen in Fujian and Guangdong provinces, which celebrate both architectural and cultural heritage. The exhibition also displays dozens of images from foreign countries that show global dynamics of saving the past.

9 am-5 pm, until May 26. National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Dajie (Street), Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6400-1476.

Dialectical landscapes

Intelligentsia Gallery's current exhibition Dialectical Territories: Landscapes and Abstraction ranges from photography and paintings to sculptures, and discusses the territorial boundaries between landscapes and abstraction in the realm of contemporary art. Participating artists from Russia, China and Spain shift the viewer's focus from nature to cities and show that landscapes can look abstract while the immaterial feelings can look sublime.

4-6 pm, Saturdays and Sundays by appointment until May 27. 11 Dongwang Hutong, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 183-1075-4745.

Love of ink

Wang Tiande's solo exhibition shows his most recent experimental ink works in which he renews the presentation of ink to promote traditional ink art. He uses incense sticks to create burn marks to replace ink strokes on rice paper. He places the hollowed paper on top of rubbings of ancient calligraphic inscriptions, conducting a dialogue between traditional doctrine and the conceptual art of today. The title Kai Men, which means "opening the door", speaks of Wang's attempts to open a door to ink art.

10 am-6 pm, until May 60. Today Art Museum, 32 Baiziwan Lu (Road), Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-5876-0600 Ext 100.

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