△ Southeast Bird’s-Eye View
The Performing Arts Center is nestled between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake in Dali. The area’s warm, humid climate at low latitudes and high altitudes shapes the distinctive lifestyle of the local community—after work, people dance in the fields and sing on the mountains, creating a vibrant outdoor cultural scene.
△ Venue Environment
Location of the Venue
△ Concept of Cave and Nest
△ Concept of Architectural Space (Yin Yang)
The building’s gently floating roof draws inspiration from local nature, evoking the reflection of Cangshan in Erhai Lake. It harmonizes with the surrounding continuous terrain, inviting visitors to explore and engage with the landscape.
△ Zhu Pei’s Sketch
△ Zhu Pei’s Sketch
The design explores a spatial dialogue between the open-air plaza and the theater “box,” seamlessly integrating architecture with the natural landscape. This creates a smooth transition from the plaza to a semi-outdoor performance space at their junction.
△ Outdoor Theater and Performance Space
Outdoor Theater
The performance space blurs the lines between nature and architecture, creating an intimate connection between performers and audiences. The roof is accessible, allowing visitors to climb it like the surrounding mountains, with open views above that reflect the vast natural environment where locals traditionally sing and dance outdoors.
View Towards the Rooftop Walkway from the Outdoor Theater
View Towards the Rooftop Walkway from the Outdoor Theater
View Towards the Rooftop Walkway from the Outdoor Theater
The design incorporates traditional Chinese yin and yang philosophy. Horizontally, the outdoor theater enjoys sunlight, while the indoor theater remains shaded. When the large sliding doors open, the space between indoor and outdoor theaters becomes the heart of the building—a hub for activities and performances. Vertically, the simple, flexible roof acts as a yin-yang interface, shaping spaces that offer sunlight above and shelter below. This interplay of light and shadow embodies the local lifestyle and reflects the “playable” beauty of Chinese gardens.
Outdoor Theater and Tea Room
Tea Room and Treehouse
△ Aerial View
In summary, the Dali Yang Liping Performing Arts Center is deeply inspired by Dali’s unique regional culture and natural climate. It represents a profound exploration of “natural architecture,” following the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum project. The design challenges traditional theater concepts by creating a porous, open, and fluid alternative theater space—more accurately described as an artistic environment. Its concept is firmly rooted in Dali’s specific climate and culture. Rather than becoming a monument, the building acts as a stage for the expansive natural landscape it faces, backed by Cangshan Mountain and overlooking Erhai Lake. It serves as an extended pavilion welcoming visitors to Dali beyond the ancient city walls.
△ Rooftop and Outdoor Theater
Wooden Roof and Outdoor Theater
△ West Facade
Details of the Wooden Roof
Cangshan Ancient City Performing Arts Center
△ Rooftop and Outdoor Theater
△ Performing Arts Center at Sunset
△ Night View of the Performing Arts Center
Outdoor Theater © Zhang Yao
Project Drawings
△ Model Diagram
△ Model Diagram
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Underground Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
△ Sectional Axonometric Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Detailed Wall Drawing
△ Detailed Wall Drawing
△ Detailed Wall Drawing
Project Information
Project Name: Yang Liping Performing Arts Center
Location: Dali, Yunnan, China
Design Period: 2014–2015
Construction Period: 2020
Building Area: 8,155 square meters
Architectural, Interior, and Landscape Design: Zhu Pei Architectural Firm
Lead Architect: Zhu Fen
Lead Designers: Edwin Lam, Shuhei Nakamura
Project Manager: Virginia Melnyk
Design Team: Han Mo, He Fan, Liu Ling, Wu Zhigang, You Changchen, Pan Leqin, Guo Nan, Ke Jun, Wang Peng, Wang Zheng, Ding Xinyue, Feng Chaoying, Chen Yida, Han Yi, Lin Wendi, Du Yao
Theater Consultant: dUCKS sc é no, Style Management Consultant Co., Ltd
Structural Consultant: Fu Xueyi Structural Team
MEP Consultant: Sidi International Design Consultant (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd
Curtain Wall Consultant: Shenzhen Dadi Curtain Wall Technology Co., Ltd
Lighting Consultant: Beijing Ningzhijing Lighting Design Co., Ltd
Acoustic Consultant: China Zhongyuan International Engineering Co., Ltd
Owner: Dali Yangliping Grand Theater Co., Ltd
Construction Company: Yunnan Construction Investment Third Construction Co., Ltd
Photography: Jin Weiqi
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