PekingOpera,knownasJingJu(CapitalOpera),hasahistoryofmorethan200years.BecauseofitspatronagebytherulingQing,orManchu,dynasty,PekingOperagrewfromalocalfolkart.tothestandardbeareroftheatricalart.ItattainedtheprominentstatusofGuoJuorNationalOperaofChina.
AftertheQingDynastywasoverthrownin1911,PekingOperacontinuedtogainpopularitynotonlywiththeupperclassesbutalsowithstudentsandintellectuals.Bythe1920s,ithaddevelopedintoasplendidartformandapopularmeans-ofentertainmentaswell.Inthecapitalalone,numeroustheaterswereestablishedsolelyforop-eraperformances,andtherewereatleast,threeacademiesfortrainingyoungperformersandseveralpr0fess!onaloperatroupesthatperformedeveryweek.