Take a tour of Experiencing Chinese Opera in China – part of the World’s Greatest Attractions travel video series by GeoBeats. Chinese opera is an ancient theater tradition that involves elaborate costumes, martial arts, and singing. The eye-popping visual aspect of the costumes and masks is combined with song, storytelling, poetry, and acrobatics. Chinese opera dates back to the 3rd century, and has gone through many evolutionary and regional changes since then. The most recognized regional branch, the Beijing opera, features traditional string and percussion instruments to accompany the acting. Today's opera has flourished in spite of the cultural movements and political repression of the 1920s and 1960s. It is said that one can tell the Chinese political climate by what is being written and performed for the stage.