If you want an evening in Beijing that needs no language at all, this is the one. The Legend of Kung Fu tells its story through movement, drumming, acrobatics and a small amount of narration in English and Chinese. There is no dialogue to follow, which makes it an easy first night in the city.
The story
A boy is left at a monastery, trains under a master, is tested by doubt and distraction, and eventually earns the title of master himself. It is a familiar arc, staged with real wushu rather than dance. The performers are trained martial artists, and the fight sequences are executed at full speed with contact that reads clearly from anywhere in the house.
The staging
Expect a proscenium stage with a steeply raked audience, a live drum score, and a handful of set changes. The acrobatic sequences, including balance work on poles and mid-air flips, are the parts audiences remember. The show runs about seventy to eighty minutes without an interval, which suits jet-lagged travelers.
Planning the evening
Most houses seat at 17:15 and 19:30. Arrive fifteen to twenty minutes early; doors close at showtime and late entry is at the discretion of the ushers. Seats in the middle of the front third cost more and put you close enough to hear the performers land, which is worth it if you have never seen wushu live. Photography without flash is generally allowed; video is often restricted.
Pairing it with dinner
The venue is in the Qianmen area, close to several roast duck restaurants and the old commercial streets. A 17:15 show followed by dinner near Qianmen is a practical first evening if you land in Beijing that afternoon. If you prefer to eat first, take the 19:30 show and book dinner at 17:30.
