京剧，中国五大戏曲剧种之一，被视为中国国粹。徽剧是京剧的前身。清代乾隆五十五年（1790年）起，徽班陆续进入北京，他们与来自湖北的汉调艺人合作，同时又接受了昆曲、秦腔的部分剧目、曲调和表演方法，吸收了一些地方民间曲调，通过不断的交流、融合，最终形成京剧。京剧形成后在清朝宫廷内开始快速发展，直至民国得到空前的繁荣。

京剧舞台场景布置注重写意，腔调以西皮、二黄为主，用胡琴和锣鼓等伴奏。京剧表演的四种艺术手法:唱、念、做、打，是京剧表演四项基本功。根据唱念声音及人物形态，又分出生，旦， 净，丑四个表演行当。 建立在这些元素上形成的戏剧叙事，是一种高度综合性的表演艺术。

在2010年11月16日，京剧被列入“世界非物质文化遗产代表作名录”，成为介绍、传播中国传统艺术文化的重要媒介。

​

Peking Opera, one of the five significant operas in China, is regarded as the quintessence of Chinese traditional theatrical culture. Hui opera is the predecessor of Peking Opera. Since 1790, in the 55th year of Qianlong’s reign in the Qing dynasty, Hui opera came to Beijing. They cooperated with artists of Han opera from Hubei province, accepted some plays, tunes and performance methods of Kunqu and Qinqiang opera, absorbed some local folk tunes, and finally formed Peking Opera. After its formation, Peking Opera began to develop rapidly in the court of the Qing dynasty and enjoyed unprecedented prosperity until the republic of China.

The stage setting of Beijing Opera is suggestive and symbolic. The melody pays attention to two kinds of traditional Chinese theatrical music tone: Xi Pi and Er Huang. The singing is accompanied by Jing Hu (Chinese Violin),  gongs and drums majorly. There are four necessary skills in Beijing Opera performance: singing, speaking, dancing, and martial arts. According to the singing voice and characters, the opera developed four kinds of roles: Sheng (male characters), Dan (female characters), Jing (Characters with particular temperament) and clown (funny characters). Based on these elements, Peking opera uses a highly comprehensive performing style to tell the story.

On November 16, 2010, Beijing Opera was listed as one of the world intangible cultural heritage. It became a critical medium to introduce and spread traditional Chinese art and culture around the world.