The First Completed Zaha Hadid Building in China

I'm Hesham, living in China since 2019. The Guangzhou Opera House, on the banks of the Pearl River in the heart of Zhujiang New Town, is the first completed building in China by the late Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. Construction began in 2005 and it officially opened in May 2010, timed to coincide with the China Arts Festival.

Quick Answer

The Guangzhou Opera House, designed by Zaha Hadid (2010), is shaped like "two smooth river pebbles" on the bank of the Pearl River. Backstage tours cost ¥50, on weekends at 10am, 11am, and hourly from 1-4pm, running 45 minutes in Chinese.

🏛️ Zaha Hadid design, 2010🎫 Backstage tour ¥50🎭 1,800-seat hall

The Design: "Two Pebbles" on the Riverbank

The building's design is inspired by two smooth river pebbles shaped by flowing water — an exterior of granite, glass, turf, and reflecting pools. It houses a 1,800-seat main opera hall and a 400-seat multifunctional hall. It sits within a cultural corridor in Zhujiang New Town that also includes the Guangdong Museum and the Guangzhou Library.

Guangzhou Opera House among the towers of Zhujiang New Town

Visiting and Tours

General access: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-10pm (closed most Mondays except public holidays). A guided backstage tour (Chinese only, 45 minutes) costs ¥50 (free for children under 1.2m), on weekend slots at 10am, 11am, and hourly from 1-4pm — you'll see the main opera hall and the rehearsal studios. Performance tickets themselves range from ¥180-1,200 depending on the show.

💡 Tip from experience: Even without a show or tour, the building's exterior is worth a short evening visit on its own — the night lighting brings out its distinctive architecture even more than daylight does.

Guangzhou Opera House Quick Summary

Zaha Hadid design, opened May 2010
Backstage tour: ¥50, weekends only
General access: Tue-Sun, 10am-10pm
Located in Zhujiang New Town, next to the Guangdong Museum

Planning a Trip to Guangzhou?

I'm Hesham, living in China since 2019. Message me on WhatsApp and I'll build the Opera House and Zhujiang New Town into your day, or visit the private driver service page.