culturalGuilin
Impression Liu Sanjie
Directed by Zhang Yimou, this spectacular outdoor performance uses the Li River as its stage with twelve karst peaks as backdrop. Over 600 performers in traditional Zhuang and Miao costumes perform on bamboo rafts with stunning lighting effects. The 70-minute show brings to life the legend of Liu Sanjie, a folk song goddess, in the world's largest natural theater.
Opening Hours
6:30 PM or 9:00PM (seasonal)
Ticket Price
¥238-680 (depending on seat section)
Location
Tianjiabei, Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi
Overview
"Impression Liu Sanjie" is the world's first live-action performance set against a natural landscape, directed by renowned director Zhang Yimou. Using the Li River as its stage and twelve mountain peaks as its backdrop, the show combines lighting, dance, and authentic ethnic minority performances to create a visually stunning spectacle. The performance lasts approximately 70 minutes. The best time to visit is spring (April-June) and autumn (September-November) when the weather is pleasant. The performance is primarily visual and musical, and can be fully enjoyed even by those who do not understand Chinese.
How to Get There
The performance of "Impression Liu Sanjie" is held at the China Lijiang Landscape Theater, No. 1 Tianyuan Road, Yangshuo County, Guilin City. It's very convenient to get there from West Street, a popular tourist area: it's about a 20-26 minute walk, offering views of the streetscape along the way; you can also take an electric cart (commonly known as a "sightseeing cart") from the entrance of West Street, costing approximately 2-10 yuan; or take a taxi, a 6-minute ride costing around 9 yuan. Alternatively, you can take bus routes 802 or 803 to a nearby stop and then walk from there.
What to Expect
Upon arrival at the theater, clear signs will guide you to the ticket gates. The theater offers standard restrooms (located on either side of the entrance) and an official souvenir shop selling ethnic cultural products. After the performance, you can also return to West Street to sample local delicacies such as beer fish.
Practical Tips
- 1Book VIP seats for the best views - ordinary seats are far
- 2Bring a jacket - it gets cool on the water
- 3No shows during heavy rain
- 4Book at least a day ahead during peak season
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