[Photo/ National Center for the Performing Arts]

Children's opera Effendi

Legend Effendi, an embodiment of wisdom, is famous throughout the Islamic world and is also a household name in China.

He always shows enormous compassion for the lower class and scoffs at those who are greedy, cunning and mercenary. In this way, he can set things right and establish justice for the plebs.

If you go:

Date: 7:30 pm, Dec 22-28

Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts

Ticket: 180-300 yuan

Contact: 010-6655-0000

Christmas special:

Christmas Festival at Minzu Hotel

The Minzu Hotel in Beijing has launched its annual Christmas Festival at its Coffee Mill, which features authentic American homestyle delicacies.

Throughout the festival, diners are encouraged to perform on a stage in the restaurant, and on Friday nights, there will be cooking shows studded with the hotel's celebrity chefs. At Christmas Eve, there will be interactive games and lottery draws for diners to take part in.

If you go:

Date: Dec 9 - 25

Venue: Minzu Hotel, 51 Fuxingmennei Street, Xicheng district.

Ticket: 158 per head for lunch, 188 per head for dinner, except 388 per head on Christmas Eve.

Contact: 010-66014466 ext.162/188