Tianjin lures Beijingers

A growing number of Beijingers choose to watch operas, musical concerts and xiangsheng (cross-talk) performances in Tianjin despite the city being nearly 140 kilometers away, the Beijing Daily reports.

Qian Cheng, general manager of the Tianjin Grand Theater, said that audiences from Beijing had contributed to a large portion of the venue's box office revenue over the past year. The theater, which opened in May 2012, lures Beijing audiences by staging shows different to those in the capital and charging cheaper ticket prices, Qian said.