Answer: Chinese Peking Opera, a cultural treasure with roots in late 18th-century regional operas evolving in Beijing, reached its golden age by the early 20th century. Its historical background encompasses periods of emergence, formation, peak popularity, and modern resurgence. Visually striking costumes, richly symbolic with vibrant colors and intricate embroidery, and equally symbolic lianpu makeup immediately convey character traits and status. The music blends stylized melodies, rhythmic patterns, and distinct vocal techniques, notably falsetto for female roles, accompanied by a traditional orchestra of melodic and percussion instruments that dramatically underscore the narrative. Peking Opera is defined by its stylized, symbolic nature, relying on codified gestures, minimal stage settings, and four core skills: singing, acting, speech, and acrobatics, all performed within distinct role types (Sheng, Dan, Jing, Chou).