In a striking display of artistic precision, Peking opera performer Zhang Wanting captivates a Beijing theater audience with an extraordinary balancing act. Perched on the narrow handle of a rosewood chair, the 30-year-old actress executes a gravity-defying pose known as ‘tanhai’ (gazing over the sea) while adorned in traditional warrior costume. This remarkable feat represents the culmination of over a decade’s dedication to mastering one of Peking opera’s most demanding physical disciplines.
Zhang’s journey began in China’s Hebei province at age seven, when she first encountered the art form at a local cultural center. Recognizing both talent and determination in the young performer, she pursued professional training at a theater school in Jiangsu province. Like most Peking opera artists, Zhang started her rigorous training regimen before dawn each day, building the physical strength and flexibility essential to the craft.
The signature chair technique she now performs originates from the Song School of Peking opera, founded in the early 20th century. This innovative tradition elevated female martial roles to center stage through creative stunts and refreshed performance styles. Zhang studied directly under Song Danju, daughter of the school’s founder, learning the specialized chair sequence that combines martial arts with acrobatic movements adapted from northwestern Chinese folk opera.
Mastering the technique required conquering both physical and psychological challenges. Zhang spent an entire semester practicing on a chair handle merely 8.5 centimeters wide, developing the balance and courage necessary for the performance. Each movement demanded months of repetition—for the jumping sequence alone, she performed approximately 50 daily leaps through the chair’s narrow frame, often finishing rehearsals with trembling muscles and bruised thighs.
Despite growing competition from digital entertainment, young artists like Zhang continue to preserve and evolve Peking opera traditions. As a professional performer with Beijing’s prestigious Jingju Theatre Company, she has delivered over 150 shows in nine years, continually refining her technique while staying true to the art form’s emotional core. For Zhang, the ultimate reward remains the audience’s applause—a validation of both technical excellence and artistic expression.
