Charm of Beijing Flavor Illuminating the New Era

The Beijing culture is a set of moral and cultural norms formed by the locals after living in the place for generations. These norms are conducive to social development and progress. They embody the unique memories and values of the Beijing people and are the most unique cultural expression of the city. It is the soul of old Beijing that formed the unique attributes of Beijing culture, giving Beijing its unique urban charm, and showcasing the glory of the city throughout times.

Peking Opera is a typical representative of the Beijing culture showcasing the rich connotation of fine traditional Chinese culture. In 2021, the city launched a cultural campaign called “Beijing’s Got Shows”, which brought back to life a batch of traditional theaters. Traditional arts such as crosstalk, Peking Opera, and Beijing ballad drum are blooming all over the city, presenting a feast of Beijing flavor with newly created cultural spaces.

Entering the new era, as geographical space extends and the form of economy evolves, with changing lifestyles and a re-defined functional position of Beijing, the city has undergone changes from inside out and expanded the connotation of Beijing culture. In 2023, the total revenue of cultural enterprises above designated size in Beijing hit 2 billion yuan, demonstrating a renaissance of traditional culture. Digital technology has injected new vitality to the emergence of more culture-related consumptions.

Entering the new era, Beijing flavor is no longer solely represented by the Hutongs, courtyards, Dashilan and Liulichang Street. It is now not only substantial in content, but also diverse in expression. In Beijing, you can take a rickshaw ride in Shichahai and experience the old Beijing style, or have a try with autonomous driving in Yizhuang. You can check out the 204 museums one by one, or take the most fashionable city walk in the art block. All these demonstrate the charm of Beijing as the capital, and its unique appeal as a national cultural center.

Grasping such functional orientations, and following the Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, Beijing is embracing an open and inclusive spirit to explore creative and innovative expressions of culture, contributing to turning China into a country with a strong socialist culture.