The NCPA sets the date as its opening day every year when visitors can enjoy all the performances for free, as well as tour around the NCPA. More than 500 Chinese artists put on a vast array of shows and exhibitions including operas, plays, concerts and symphonies.

The center has an area of 217,500 square meters surrounded by a man-made lake and is often dubbed "pearl on the water." Since its launch in 2007, all together 543 Chinese and foreign artistic groups have performed 3,914 shows at the center.

THE DAY MARKED: Visitors enter China's National Center for the Performing Arts on December 22, the opening day, to celebrate its fifth anniversary (WANG ZHEN)

ENTHUSIASM: Visitors wait in line at the entrance to the NCPA (WANG ZHEN)

CLASSICS IN MODERN: A child actor performs in a Peking opera at the NCPA (LUO XIAOGUANG)

DRAMA TIME: Theatre-goers attend a play at the Olive Hall (LUO XIAOGUANG)

SILHOUETEE: Visitors enjoy the collection of art at the east exhibition hall (LUO XIAOGUANG)