Have you ever enjoyed a performance in the tourist area, with the natural mountain, water, buildings as the background? The Impression shows created by the world famous director Mr. Yimou Zhang who the chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 28th Olympic Games in Beijing, and the other two excellent directors, Chaoge Wang and Yue Fan in his team have gaining a lot of good feedbacks from tourists to the attractions. As there is a word says, “If you miss the Impression Show, you miss the highlight of the attraction”. Once you sit there before the stage different from the traditional ones in an opera house, you would be shocked by the power of the beautiful earth, the magical power of the simple lights, sounds, shadows and other ordinary elements in this world.
Among all the performances of the Impression Series, we here list the top recommendation with better rating and reviews from our guests and netizens on TripAdvisor.com, etc. for your enjoyment of the large-scale performance of real landscape. Check the detailed highlight, performing time, tickets and place of each impression show at below.
Directed by: Yimou Zhang, Chaoge Wang, Yue Fan
Time: 19:50; 21:20
Duration: 60 mins
Tickets: CNY198 / CNY268 / CNY368 / CNY628 / CNY828
Attraction: Yangshuo
Venue: Sanjie Liu Song Fair, Tianyuan Road, Yangshuo, Guilin
Transportation: walk about 25 mins from the West Lake in Yangshuo County
It is the first creation of the Impression Series. Officials from World Tourism Organization said after watching the show, “it’s worth taking a flight from anywhere in the world to watch the show.” Many people know that landscape in Guilin is really gorgeous, and the Impression Sanjie Liu held on Li River would show you the best natural sceneries, local ethnic culture, life of fishers at Lijiang River, and the story of Sanjie Liu amazingly. The more than 600 local actors and actress would give nice performance to you to get close to the authentic life at Li River. For Yangshuo has different beautiful sceneries based on various weathers and seasons, the director team use diverse kinds of colors to express wonderfully. Moreover, you would figure out that the best spirituality hides in nature and the beauty of human also comes from the nature. With the magical lighting, music, lyrical sing, graceful dancing combining with hills ad water, a visual feat you would easy to enjoy.
Directed by: Yimou Zhang
Time: 19:30; 21:00
Duration: about 50 minutes
Tickets: CNY360 / CNY400 / CNY680
Attraction: West Lake
Venue: Yuehu, West Lake, Hangzhou
Transportation: local buses No.7, 52, 27, 118, Y10, 103 and more can take you to the “Impression of West Lake” ticket office
The Impression West Lake has been a praisable live show to enjoy the landscape of the West Lake. And the Enduring Memories in Hangzhou show created by Yimou based on the original Impression show was a nice concert during the G20 Summit in Hangzhou in 2016. At present, visitors could have a fresh new enjoyment of the upgraded show at the beautiful West Lake. There altogether 9 programs, such as the Dance of Picking Tea Leaves, Ballet of Swan Lake, classic love story of Chinese Romeo and Juliet, Ode to Joy, and so forth with graceful dances, harmonious musical instruments playing, outstanding singing and awesome show of lights, springs, shadows and music, firework, etc. With the 50 minutes, you would have a terrific enjoyment of the traditional Chinese art and amazing Western styles, which deserves your go and applause with other audiences. Therefore, if you visit Hangzhou, do not miss this stunning large-scale scenic on-water performance to enjoy the brilliant show of Chinese culture to the world.
>> 2 Days Essence of Hangzhou Tour
Notice:The Impression West Lake show is usually not performed in winter days.
Directed by: Yimou Zhang, Chaoge Wang, Yue Fan
Time: 11:10; 13:30
Duration: about 1 hour
Tickets: CNY280 / CNY346
Attraction: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Venue: Blue Moon Valley Theater, Ganhaizi, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang
Transportation: take direct bus to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from Lijiang for about 1 hour.
Unbelievably, the Impression Lijiang presents the multiple features of the mysterious Lijiang together onto the real large stage on 3100 meters high in the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. This is another excellent Impression work of Mr. Zhang and his team designed 6 parts in the 2 chapters, including the toast to the snow mountain, ceremony of blessing, etc., which tells the awe to nature through the conversation to the snow mountain and also expresses the belief of a holy kingdom in every one’s mind by talking to the past time. Of course, a great chance to get close to the original life in Lijiang. Since this special impression show is performed during day time, the bright stage with the white snow mountain being its background, blue sky and milky clouds being the decoration, and other advanced special effects of water, smoke, and mists, traditional folk costumes of performers, pure singing of local more than 500 actors and actresses designed very well, the entire show would give an impressive visual impact to you.
Directed by: Yimou Zhang, Chaoge Wang, Yue Fan
Time: 19:30; 21:00; 22:30
Duration: about 70 mins
Tickets: CNY218 / CNY298 / CNY688
Attraction: Wuyi Mountain
Venue: Impression Dahongpao Theater, Dawangfeng Road, Wuyishan
Transportation: take bus No. 6 to Chaboyuan Stop for about 1 hour; driving for about 30 mins
The Impression Dahongpao is a pearl in Wuyi Mountain which is a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site. Specially designed stage can rotate 360 degrees stably surrounded by the emerald mountains and crystal clear stream, so every visitor could enjoy the influential performance at different perspectives but all could get close to the real nature and fragrance of the world famous Dahongpao tea. This performance themed with the Dahongpao tea was divided into 9 chapters to introduce Mount Wuyi, conduct local culture and life. More than 300 performers would show you the history of tea, processing skill of tea making, legendary story of Dawang and Yunv, unhappiness of modern people, and the active influences and inspiration you could gain in a simple cup of tea. Highlighting stories, expressed with the wonderful lights and shadow, dances and songs would more understanding of the simple but magical nature and our life.
Directed by: Chaoge Wang, Yue Fan; Yimou Zhang as artistic advisor
Time: 19:30; 21:30
Duration: about 70 mins
Tickets: CNY238 / CNY338 / CNY688 / CNY888
Attraction: Wulong Karst Landscape
Venue: Taoyuan Grand Canyon, Xiannvshan Town, Wulong County, Chongqing
Transportation: drive from Chongqing downtown for about 2-2.5 hours
What would the impression show be with Mr. Yimou Zhang being the artistic adviser? The Impression Wulong would give you the best answer. In Wulong County, a World Natural Heritage Site for its karst landform and beautiful sightseeing and also the shooting location of the Transformers 4, the reputed show is performed themed with the “disappeared working song”. In the 70 minutes, a series of local featured items would be perfectly displayed in front of your eyes. Father’s boat, Pleasant Sunrise, Story of Boat Tracker, Working Song on Sichuan River, Crying Marriage, and so on are all in the authentic style of local Chongqing flavor to let you enjoy the dance and song, lights and sounds, and the folk culture of Ba and Shu areas. By telling the disappeared laboring scene after the industrial civilization and fast development of machines, it also voices the culture and spirits left from our ancestors and our respects to the history, to the memories, to our national culture and to our life.
>> 4 Days Chongqing & Wulong Karst Landscape Exploration Tour
Directed by: Chaoge Wang
Time: 14:00; 19:00
Duration: about 90mins
Tickets: CNY238
Attraction: Pingyao Ancient City
Venue: No. 154, Shuncheng Street, Pingyao
Transportation: take bus Pingyao No. 1 / Pingyao No. 108 / No. 108 for about 30 mins from the north gate of Pingyao Ancient City
This is the only Impression show in a Chinese ancient city. The Encore Pingyao by Chaoge Wang is performed in the World Cultural Heritage Site, Pingyao Ancient City to tell its story, history and culture of this 2000-year old place. Unfamiliar with the traditional theaters, there is not main entrance to the stage, no traditional stage, no seats, and no lobby. However, during the 90 minutes long show, performers give the real life scenes walking between different spaces themed with the business, life, introduction, and comprehensive cultural performance. Through the show of the prosperous scenes of Pingyao Ancient City, visitors would travel through the time to witness the life of Pingyao people about 150 years ago and the trading activities in Qing dynasty. To enjoy the real past soul of Pingyao, this Encore Pingyao is not to be missed.
Directed by: Chaoge Wang, Yue Fan; Yimou Zhang as artistic advisor
Time: 20:00
Duration: 70 mins
Tickets: CNY238 / CNY288
Attraction: Putuoshan Mountain
Venue: Impression Putuo Theater, Zhujiajian, Putuo District, Zhoushan
Transportation: drive about 10 mins from Zhoushan Putuoshan Airport
The Impression Putuo is particularly different with the three main elements of human, Buddhism and Zen. This amazing show has high standard techniques of sounds, lights, electricity, best combined with the natural landform and landscape at Putuo, therefore, the impressive effects enables it a must-see show for your coming to Putuo Mountain. In this show, there are 9 chapters about the Buddhist pilgrimage, Buddhist ceremony, inspiration of Zen, explanation of Zen, and so on. Through the simple stories, the show tells about the good desire of feeling the nice world by loving people with Buddhist theories and living with the philosophy of Zen. Furthermore, the 360-degree rotating stage would seem a large picture scroll as it moves slowly. Also, with the fantastic singing and artistic presentation, you would experience letting go your many troubles by sitting there for only 70 minutes.
Apart from the above top recommended shows of Impression Series, there are also some other great impression shows created by the team of Yimou Zhang for your unforgettable enjoyment in the attractions, such as the Encore Mount Wutai to show the special Buddhist culture and splendors of Wutai Mountain, the Impression Hainan to present the passionate culture and the sea in Hainan Island, the Impression National Music to give best display of traditional Chinese music and instruments, and the Impression Melaka to be show. Let’s go to treat our eyes, ears and minds!
1. The performing time duration and sessions may be changed according to the local weather such as heavy rain, snow, thunderstorm, and so on, and some important holidays. Also, some may be cancelled during very cold months such as January, February, and December, etc.
2. For some shows held in summer or wet places, such as Yangshuo, West Lake, etc., you are recommended to prepare mosquito repelling or stickers if in need.
3. High altitude: the stage of Impression Lijiang is 3050 meters high above the sea level, so you could decide whether to go to see the show according to your physical condition.
4. For more detailed information about transferring to the venue of the Impression shows, you could ask our travel expertise for help.
5. The above information of price, performing time, durations and addresses of performance venues are only for your reference, subject to the practical situation.
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