PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is embarking on its first tour of China since 1987.

The symphony visited China only once before, when Lorin Maazel was conductor.

The Asian tour will be the first international trip under new musical director Manfred Honeck. The orchestra is scheduled to leave Pittsburgh Monday.

The symphony will open the tour Thursday and Friday at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing. The egg-shaped glass and titanium complex opened last year at a cost of $360 million.

The orchestra will also perform in Shanghai Saturday and conclude the tour in Taiwan on May 20.

The Hillman Endowment for International Performances is paying for much of the tour.