Sydney Opera House

Taking a tour inside is definitely worthwhile - you can learn about the Opera House's history and visit the theater and concert halls (though photography is not allowed inside). When we visited, a Chinese orchestra happened to be rehearsing.

Outside the Opera House is a dining promenade, packed with locals enjoying the sea breeze while eating fish and chips and burgers, drinking beer. We noticed that Circular Quay, The Rocks, and the Opera House area are popular gathering spots for Westerners.

The Opera House sits by the sea like scattered white seashells, elegant and majestic in design. It's beautiful from every angle, day or night, making one marvel at the architect's avant-garde vision. Around 8-9 AM, viewing from across the harbor, there are few people around - before the tourist groups arrive - making it wonderfully peaceful.

The exterior walls resemble large shells, covered in small white mosaic tiles that allow for various curved surfaces. Under the sunlight, the Opera House appears serene, tranquil, and elegant.

I booked a 60-minute Chinese-guided tour online in advance for 11 AM. The official ticket prices at the venue were actually higher than what I paid through the Mafengwo platform in China - so booking ahead is definitely worthwhile. The interior structure is very "exposed," with visible steel and concrete - what professionals call "fair-faced concrete." There's beauty in this simplicity.

Inside, the atmosphere is solemn and dignified. The wall features the world's largest standing harp, which fewer than 20 people worldwide can play. Every design element and decoration serves acoustic purposes. There are no electronic sound systems - you hear pure, authentic symphony sounds here. Watching an actual opera here must be incredible. The Opera House reveals different kinds of beauty depending on the time and viewing angle. It's one of my favorite classic buildings. Today, we admired your grandeur from all directions, captured your beauty in our cameras, and stored permanent memories in our minds. Thank you for bringing us such beauty.

Perhaps I'd seen too many photos and promotional videos online, so being there in person didn't feel as overwhelming as expected. The atmosphere was permeated with a leisurely rhythm that made everyone feel lazy. Even taking photos didn't spark much enthusiasm - lying in the sun felt more appealing.

With my eyes closed, you ask what I'm thinking about? The Phantom of the Opera. Forgive my lack of architectural appreciation cells, but after enough lounging around, I walked a complete circle around the Opera House and had just one impression: it really does look like shells, with its white checkered glazed tiles glistening in the sunlight like they're coated with ultra-clear nail polish. This Opera House, which took 14 years to build and is considered one of the 20th century's most outstanding architectural achievements, combined with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background - well, it's quite unique, I'll give it that.

Each visitor received a headset as we followed the guide to explore inside.

During the day, the Sydney Opera House shimmers like shells under the sunlight. Every table, chair, brick, and tile is scientifically and intricately designed so that even large crowds don't create a sense of chaos. The H-shaped window design is particularly clever, not only expanding visual effects but also serving as a showcase for various performance arts.

Our guide was a lovely Taiwanese lady. The first hall we entered was relatively small (photography allowed) and famous for a visit by Chairman Hu. Here, the guide played a Chinese introduction video about the Opera House, helping us understand the past and present of this Australian treasure.

Next was the drama theater, set up with props for that evening's performance. The seats were incredibly comfortable, specially designed by medical experts according to ergonomic principles.

The third venue was the largest in the Opera House, where photography wasn't permitted (though you can find photos on Mafengwo). We were lucky to gain access, as the guide explained that halls open for daily tours are randomly selected with limited visitor numbers.

Looking out from the Opera House, you can see the lush Royal Botanic Gardens - my favorite place in Sydney.

Since speaking loudly is prohibited inside the theater, each visitor was equipped with headphones for the tour commentary. I must emphasize: you absolutely should take the internal tour of the Opera House. Not only can you access the rooftop terrace for distant views of the Harbour Bridge, but you might also catch the Australian National Ballet rehearsing. The interior design, structured like piano keys, can only be truly appreciated from inside - I believe these elements represent the true soul and essence of the Sydney Opera House.

The entire tour takes about 45 minutes. I always thought the Opera House was pure white, but seeing it up close revealed that its exterior is made of a unique material with alternating yellow and white hues. This special material doesn't need cleaning - it naturally becomes clean through exposure to wind and rain.

This masterpiece was once the biggest unfinished project, a great architectural work that almost never came to be. Today's "Big Shell" offers different kinds of beauty from various angles and at different times. Here, you can not only admire the interior architecture but also enjoy an opera performance, and at night there's a light show that uses the Opera House's side as a projection screen.

How could anyone visit Sydney without seeing the Opera House?
Although thanks to our hostel's location, we passed by the Opera House daily, it still felt like something was missing without taking a close-up look at it.

Sitting under the Harbour Bridge, watching white birds soaring overhead, sipping drinks while gazing at the Opera House in the distance, and having meandering conversations - it was absolutely perfect. The whole experience felt dreamlike and surreal.

The Sydney Opera House is smaller than I imagined, with its exterior built from light yellow and white tiles. It sits close to the Harbour Bridge, allowing you to admire both landmarks together.

The Opera House light show actually happens every night at 9 PM, but it only lasts 7 minutes and covers a limited area - just the restaurant side of the building. If you can't find it, ask the staff for directions.

Wow, this place is even more stunning in real life than in photos! Those iconic white "shells" against the harbor - totally Instagram-worthy from every angle. Sure, it's super touristy, but for good reason. The whole area around Circular Quay is buzzing with energy - street performers, cute cafes, and you can watch ferries zip across the harbor all day. Pro tip: grab a drink at Opera Bar right next to it during sunset - pricey but the views are worth every penny! Even if you're not into opera or classical stuff, just walking around the building is an experience. Gets pretty packed during peak times though, so maybe hit it up early morning if you want those perfect pics without the crowds.

The Sydney Opera House is such a masterpiece - those white sail-like roofs are just incredible! Even if you're just walking by, you can't help but stop and stare. Grab a coffee at one of the harbor cafes, watch the boats go by, and take in those perfect harbor views. Tourist trap? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely. Just try to avoid the midday crowds if you can!

Viewing the world-famous Sydney Opera House from different angles, it resembles a beautiful seashell, displaying a unique artistic aesthetic.
The white domes transform into gleaming golden jewels under the evening lights. I deeply admire the architect's extraordinary imagination - seeing it in person truly confirms its reputation as a magnificent architectural achievement.
There are several restaurants near the Opera House, though business seemed slow, perhaps due to the cold sea breeze or late hour.
As we left, viewing it from another angle, it appeared like a sailboat from afar, seemingly ready to set sail from the shore at any moment.

The Sydney Opera House is actually more petite than I imagined. But facing those white shells on the harbor, you can't help but get caught up in taking tourist photos.

Being situated right at the harbor entrance, and as the iconic landmark of both Sydney and Australia, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge offer countless photo opportunities from various angles and positions.

The first spot I want to recommend - and the most popular photo location besides the Opera House itself - is Mrs Macquarie's Chair. It's absolutely perfect for tourist photos. From here, you can capture yourself with both landmarks and get that classic shot of them standing majestically over the harbor. There are many different angles to explore, so if you have time, it's worth finding the perfect spot away from the crowds for better portrait shots.

Another excellent photo spot is at the base of the Harbour Bridge near Luna Park. This location is particularly recommended for night photography - using a slow shutter speed, you can capture the harbor waters as smooth as silk, resulting in some stunning photos.

I also suggest taking the elevator at the bridge's base and walking up onto the Harbour Bridge itself. You can feel the slight vibration of the bridge while capturing beautiful shots of the Opera House and harbor from above.

I just performed at the Sydney Opera House with my band!

It truly deserves its reputation as one of the world's four great opera houses! The acoustics are amazing! The backstage dressing rooms are fantastic too - they have direct views of the Harbour Bridge and the entire Sydney Harbour. The dressing area even includes a bar and restaurant, and the waiters provided excellent service.

What a unique and unforgettable experience!

When you look at it from far away, the Opera House seems like a collection of white sails caught in the wind, ready to voyage across the harbor. But get closer, and it transforms into this magnificent display of seashells, each one proudly tilted up toward the sunlight.

The shell-like exterior is something special - those distinctive tiles came all the way from Italy. It's amazing to see how well they've maintained their beauty over the decades. When you're actually standing on the platform, the sheer scale of the building is breathtaking - you can't help but feel small in its presence. It's one of those rare buildings that actually lives up to its photos!

Upon reaching the Opera House entrance, we found ourselves hesitant to go inside. After researching performance ticket prices online, which were astronomically high, we decided against attending a show. We then inquired about guided tour tickets, which cost around AUD 40 (approximately 200 RMB) for a one-hour tour. Comparing this to our previous experience at the Sagrada Familia, which cost less and allowed unlimited visiting time, the value proposition seemed questionable. The price-to-experience ratio ultimately led us to skip the interior tour.

The Sydney Opera House, often referred to as the "Giant Shells," is arguably Australia's most photographed icon and is considered one of the 20th century's most distinctive architectural achievements. However, my first impression was slightly underwhelming - it appeared smaller than expected. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice that rather than being pure white, the surface is actually a mosaic of pale yellow and off-white glazed tiles. In some corners, exposed concrete structures show signs of wear, giving the building an aged appearance.

This shouldn't be surprising, though, considering the Opera House was completed in 1973 - approaching its 50th anniversary, some weathering is natural. During our visit, there were relatively few tourists around. We opted not to take the interior tour, as the one-hour time limit seemed too restrictive, and photography isn't permitted inside.

We booked a 1:30 PM guided tour of the Opera House online in advance. I recommend booking at least a week ahead as daily spots are limited. You can pick up tickets directly at the ticket office. You can't bring bags inside the Opera House, but there's free luggage storage next to the ticket counter - just store your belongings before entering, and staff will give you a corresponding luggage tag.

When collecting tickets, staff will tell you which numbered sign to wait at for your guide. Each group has about 10+ people. Our guide was a Taiwanese lady who was quite humorous! The guide provides each person with headphones and a small MP3-like device (I'm not sure what exactly it was) - once you put on the headphones, you can hear the guide's voice.

We booked the one-hour tour, initially thinking it might be too long, but time flew by so quickly! I recommend choosing the one-hour option as it provides a more comprehensive experience.

The guide briefly explained the rules - speaking quietly, no photos inside the venues, etc. - before taking us inside. The tour route generally goes from bottom to top, covering everything from the building's history, materials, and architectural features to the characteristics of each performance hall. We entered different performance halls where we could see staff preparing for shows, experience the lighting and seating, and even watched a short documentary during the tour.

If mountains and oceans are nature's masterpieces, then the Sydney Opera House is the crystallization of human civilization and wisdom.

Though 45 years old, the Sydney Opera House remains beautiful and magnificent, showing no signs of aging. Its design still appears modern today. The exterior materials were chosen for durability and easy maintenance, with meticulously crafted tiles. The interior design details entirely reflect the philosophy of serving both performers and audiences. The performance halls use no amplification equipment - what you hear is purely the natural sound of instruments or performers. Every subtle sound can reach throughout the entire hall. This demands excellence not only from designers and performers but also requires the highest standards from audience members, who must maintain absolute silence. Late arrivals are kept outside until intermission.

On our tour day, the Sydney Ballet Company was performing. Sound engineers were adjusting equipment while dancers were warming up - photography wasn't allowed. The warming-up dancers reminded me of Mary Helen Bowers from Ballet Beautiful, as they were doing many similar movements.

Cruise ships dock at the harbor outside the Opera House. They're truly enormous - when viewed between buildings, you can't see their bow or stern. It's impossible to recognize them as ships; they look more like additional skyscrapers.

The classic photographing spot for the Sydney Opera House isn't actually near the building itself, but rather from the Royal Botanic Gardens across the harbor. From there, you can capture the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge in the background - these two landmarks together create the first impression many people have of Australia.

The famous Sydney Opera House I'd seen countless times on TV was right before my eyes, but I noticed its white shell exterior had yellowed somewhat. Built in 1973, the Opera House now shows signs of age - the building is growing old. Later, a friend commented on my social media post, saying that it's mainly because Chinese people's perspective on the world has changed. I found this observation quite profound.

If we had visited Sydney in the 1970s, we would likely have been amazed by such a modern city and marveled endlessly at this beautiful architecture. But today, China has developed significantly. Though our cities still face various challenges, we've seen numerous architecturally innovative buildings emerge, and our cities have become increasingly sophisticated. At least metropolises like Beijing and Shanghai now rival international cities, making such sights less extraordinary to us.

Up close, the Opera House resembles two sets of upturned shells. The pointed shells of varying heights are covered with white glazed tiles that, in sunlight, make it look like either upright seashells or two giant white sailboats floating on the blue sea. Even small children were crawling on all fours toward the building. Since it was Christmas, the Opera House was closed, so we couldn't tour the interior - a bit disappointing.

Though I'm not an architecture expert, I found the Opera House's curved design quite aesthetically pleasing. The surface isn't completely solid but features lines and small openings - perhaps considering acoustic requirements for a performance venue? Standing on the Opera House steps and looking back at the plaza, it's clear that Sydney's privileged geographic location forms the foundation of its beauty. You can see many sailboats too - Australians truly know how to enjoy life.

From the Harbour Bridge side, you can see the Opera House's complete side profile. Although it wasn't as magnificent as I'd imagined (perhaps my expectations were too high, given its status as Australia's iconic building), the three white shells still look impressive against the backdrop of blue sky and water.

Though I was already familiar with this iconic building, seeing it in person was still incredibly exciting! It's truly beautiful! Whether viewing it while walking, from a boat, standing, sitting, during day or night, from far away or up close - each angle offers a different perspective, and every view is stunning. I even got to touch its outer shell! However, I didn't go inside the Opera House - interested visitors can book tours online.

The Sydney Opera House stands as Sydney's signature landmark, a magnificent sanctuary of artistic expression.