NCPA opens free to public

Tuesday marked the second birthday of Beijing's National Center for the Performing Arts. As a tradition to mark the occasion, "the giant egg" is open free of charge to the public. This year, the center offered an assortment of artistic events that attracted scores of music lovers.

Beginning on Tuesday morning, the four major parts within the complex, which include the opera house, the theatre, the concert hall, and the mini theatre, were all opened to visitors. People were busy crossing from one venue to another, catching various concerts, operas, and other exciting shows.

At the entrance to the theatre, professors from China Traditional Opera Conservatory were on hand to explain the function of facial masks in Peking Opera. They also showed the spectators how to paint the masks on actors' faces.

Visitors walk during the open day at the National  Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA), or the National  Grand Theater, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22,  2009. The National Grand Theater opened to the public  for free on Tuesday to mark the 2nd anniversary of its  inauguration.  (Xinhua/Luo Xiaoguang)