Peking opera is a performing art that combines singing, reciting, acting and fighting. It is performed widely across China, but Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai remain the main performance centers. The singing and reciting of Peking opera are mainly in the Beijing dialect, and the scripts are written according to a series of strict rules that focus on form and rhythm. Each repertoire tells stories about history, politics, society and life, and conveys information while entertaining. Music plays a key role in Peking opera, not only setting the rhythm of the performance and creating a special atmosphere, but also shaping the characters and guiding the development of the story. For example, the "civil scene" uses orchestral instruments such as the high-pitched jinghu and flute, while the "martial scene" uses percussion instruments such as ban drums and gongs to set off. The performance is characterized by the actors' formulaic and symbolic style of performance, which is achieved through the choreography of predetermined hand, eye, body and foot movements. Traditionally, stage settings and props are kept to a minimum, but the costumes are gorgeous, the facial makeup is exaggerated, and simple symbols, colors and patterns are used to depict the personality and social identity of the characters. Peking opera is mainly passed down from master to apprentice, with apprentices learning basic performance skills through verbal instruction, observation and imitation. Peking opera is regarded as the epitome of the aesthetic ideals of traditional Chinese opera and is widely recognized as a Chinese cultural heritage.