China boasts more than 300 forms of traditional opera, of which Peking Opera is the most popular. It took shape in the early 19th century in Beijing, hence the name.

Peking Opera is a unique art combining drama, singing, music, dancing and martial arts into one. The China National Peking Opera Troupe performed Hua Mulan at a hall in a New York fashions industry college, on Feb 18, 1999 and has achieved a great success.

Combat routines in the Peking Opera repertoire combines Chinese martial arts and the dramatic art and the actors and actresses must undergo strict physical and skill training from childhood before they can live up to the roles they play in such routines.

The following are the four main roles in Peking Opera:

Sheng (male role)	Dan (female role)	Jing (painted-face role)	Chou (comic role)