China's Wonderland of Acrobatics

ot without good reason, China is universally ac-knowledged as the "king-dom of acrobatics"--an ancient art of which it is also said to be the pearl. The art first took root in the Zhou Dynasty (256-11BC), and its popularity spread during the Han Dynasty, which finished in AD220). It remained in vogue in the Tang (618-907), and spread among ordinary people during the Song period (960-1279).

Visitors to Beijing who want to see the very best of acrobatics should visit the Universal Theater and Chao Yang Theater, for only at these venues will they be exposed to the very culture of the art. The acrobats belong to the high-level China Acrobatic Troupe, the largest of its kind in the country, and possibly the world. The number of gold prizes won by Chinese athletes over the centuries is almost beyond counting.

The theater displays, while based on traditional acrobatics, embrace dancing, opera, and Chinese Kong-fu. Audiences also see the Beijing Tianqiao Folk Acrobatics, acrobatic versions of ancient Chinese fairy stories, Chinese "soul" and various other seemingly abstract subjects. The biggest surprise that acrobatics at this level are not simply about balancing acts, with the acrobats lying on their backs and tossing huge earthenware pots to each other with their feet. Acrobatic rope-dancing, for example, has to be seen to be believed.

The Universal Theater, a newly refurbished venue conveniently close to downtown Beijing, offers a superbly comfortable environment in which to goggle at what's happening on stage.

Address: 10 Dongzhimennan Dajie (100 meters north of Poly Plaza).

Nightly performance: 7:15-8:30pm.

Hotlines: 6502-3984; 6502-2649; 6416-9893.

Chao Yang Theater proudly stages a spectacular acrobatic performances every evening. The acrobats' breathtakingly stunning displays of daring have been developed over a period of 15 years. So far, they have performed to more than one million foreigners visiting China--international statesmen and other VIPs included.

Address: 36 East Third Ring Road, Chaoyang District.

Nightly performance: 7:15-8:30pm.

Tel: 6507-1818; 6507-2421; 6506-8849.