The National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA), a relatively new Beijing landmark, will adopt off- and peak-season schedules beginning April 1, according to theater staff.

The NCPA, also known as the national theater, was designed by French architect Paul Andreu. A number of operas and concerts have been held at the venue since it opened in late 2007.

It also attracts thousands of daily visitors, who are attracted to its surrealistic shape resembling an egg rising from a pond of water.

The NCPA's peak season will be from April 1 to Oct. 31, while the off season will be Nov. 1 to March 31.

During peak season, when a large number of visitors are expected, the opening time is from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.. During off-season, the visiting period will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The hours on national holidays will be 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The entry fee for sightseeing will be unchanged at 30 yuan (4.40 U.S. dollars), and those who book tickets online will get a 5 yuan discount. The center is closed on Monday all year round.

On March 15, the theater began a month-long maintenance period, and there will be only one Beijing opera, the Red Cliff, staged during that period.

"Red Cliff is a well-received Chinese opera depicting a war in the Three Kingdoms period (220-280), so we decided to add ten performances during the maintenance period since all other schedules are full," said Ge Hui, who is responsible for the opera Red Cliff. " The opera will be staged from March 31 to April 7. "

The 2009 Opera Festival of the NCPA will be held from April 15 to July 2.