This futuristic concert venue in Beijing is officially the most beautiful in Asia

Time Out has ranked the most beautiful concert venues in the world, and amongst a plethora of beautiful natural landscapes like the Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Tennessee’s The Caverns, historical concert halls like Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, and even an Irish castle, is Beijing’s stunning National Centre for the Performing Arts. 

The only Asian entry on the list, the venue is often referred to as The Giant Egg, but from the outside it more resembles a silver-and-glass insect, with a shell made of thousands of metal and glass plates. Designed by French architect Paul Andreu, the venue has been open since 2007 and is located in the heart of Beijing. It’s a feat of design and a technological marvel in how it deals with the abundance of groundwater beneath the building.

The eye-catching oval building holds an opera hall, music hall, theatre, and more, and it’s the largest performance venue in Asia. The eponymous NCPA Orchestra calls this building its home, but you’ll also see local and international opera singers and musicians performing in this landmark.

NCPA stages original works of drama and opera, as well as weekly Chinese opera shows, but 2026 will also see the Spanish Ballet Flamenco de Granada performing The Phantom of the Opera and Carmen in February. Also in February, the Shanghai Ballet will perform Swan Lake at the Opera House, and there will be a Ryuichi Sakamoto classics concert to ring in the Lunar New Year. 

Other dramatic classics, like Singin’ in the Rain, Pride and Prejudice, Murder on the Orient Express, and Don Juan, will be staged throughout the year.

Here’s the full list of the world’s 10 most beautiful concert venues:

1. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado, USA
2. Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia
3. Musikverein, Vienna, Austria
4. Teatro alla Scala, Milan, Italy
5. Arena of Nîmes, Nîmes, France
6. Dalhalla, Rättvik, Sweden
7. The Caverns, Tennessee, USA
8. Wieliczka Salt Mine, Krakow, Poland
9. National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing, China
10. Slane Castle, County Meath, Ireland

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