National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing

Formally known as the National Grand Theater, the National Centre for the Performing Arts is an oval dome surrounded by a man-made lake. A hallway beneath the lake leads into the building. The theater is one of several bold designs constructed for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Facts:

• 212 meters long
• 144 meters wide
• 46 meters high
• designed by French architect Paul Andreu
• constructed from 2001-2007
• located just west of Tiananmen Square and the Great Hall of the People
• three performing spaces include:
  • The Opera House, at the center of the building, seats 2,398
  • The Concert Hall, located in the eastern part of the building, seats 2,017
  • The Drama Theater, located in the western part of the building, seats 1,035

See interior views:

• National Centre for the Performing Arts
• Opera House Theater

^{Source: Beijing Theatre Cultural & Development Co.,Ltd. the trade association for the Beijing theatre industry.}