Create meetup in Beijingchevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
want to meet at fmd_good Foodland
want to meet at fmd_good City Market
want to meet at fmd_good Market Square
explore Beijing Guides
bar_chart Trends in Beijing
NCPA Acoustics?
the egg is a weird space acoustically because it's built for spectacle not sound, honestly. if you want clarity next time try the stalls but avoid the very back rows, the overhang from the balcony above kills the high frequencies. for peking opera specifically i'd actually recommend the mei lanfang grand theatre instead, it's smaller and the room was designed with that vocal style in mind, way more intimate and crisp
you're not imagining it, the egg is famous for weird acoustics because the glass dome and curved walls create these dead spots. for your next visit try the orchestra seats but pick something on the left side, the sound engineers usually balance the mix a bit heavier to the right to compensate and it ends up more natural on the left. also check if the show has a surtitle screen, some modern peking opera pieces at the NCPA use projected text and the projector's fan noise actually bleeds into the sound in certain balcony rows, it's a known issue among regulars
fwiw I think it's less about the egg itself and more about where you sit. I've been maybe 6 or 7 times and the stalls center, around row 15-20, is consistently the sweet spot for balance. anything too far to the sides or under the balcony overhang and yeah, the sound gets weirdly dead. also some shows just don't mix for that room at all, modern stuff with amplified vocals tends to be fine but traditional acoustic sets can get swallowed up. if you're going back try a chamber music concert there instead, those tend to be mixed better for the space
load 3 more replies
best photo spots in beijing?
olympic forest park is slept on fr. the linden trees along the main axis go gold in late october and the bird's nest reflection in the lake at sunrise is nuts, barely anyone there on weekdays. also check out 798 art district on a weekday morning, the old factory pipes and graffiti make great contrast shots. tbh bring a wider lens than u think you need, everything in beijing is bigger than it looks in photos
everyone goes for the big landmarks but honestly the best shots i got were from the overpasses on the 3rd ring road at dusk, just traffic light trails with CCTV tower lit up in the background. also guomao at blue hour from the silk street footbridge, the CBD towers all glassy & orange, tripod helps cuz u need a slow shutter. one thing nobody mentions, air quality totally changes your photos so check the AQI app the night before, a clear day after rain is worth waiting for
For sunrise the Temple of Heaven east gate area is underrated, locals doing tai chi around 5:30am with the morning fog, way better than fighting crowds at Tiananmen. For sunset honestly just walk along the canal near Shichahai, the reflections off the water with the Drum Tower behind are hard to beat. Bring a tripod if you can, the good light only lasts like 20 mins this time of year.