Impression Sanjie Liu

印象·刘三姐

Zhang Yimou's landscape show, billed as the world's largest outdoor performance, staged on the Li River with 12 peaks as its backdrop and performed by over 600 local fishermen and actors.

Impression Sanjie Liu is a large-scale landscape performance that premiered in 2004, directed jointly by Zhang Yimou, Wang Chaoge, and Fan Yue. The stage sits on the water where the Li River meets the Tianjia River, east of Yangshuo town. The backdrop is about 2 km of the Li River and 12 karst peaks, and the auditorium seats about 2,000 people. The show lasts about 70 minutes and is divided into chapters such as 'Red Impression: Mountain Songs,' 'Green Impression: Homeland,' 'Blue Impression: Love Songs,' and 'Golden Impression: Fishing Lights.' Over 600 performers take part, most of them local fishermen and Zhuang, Yao, and Miao villagers. Signature scenes include hundreds of fishermen waving red silk across the river, bamboo rafts with fishing lights, and a group of young women in silver ornaments, all enhanced by lighting on the mountains for a grand effect. Ticket prices: standard seats cost about 200–260 yuan, and VIP and presidential seats cost 300–700 yuan. In peak season there are 2–3 shows a night, around 19:30 and 21:20. During holidays, buy tickets several days ahead through official channels. Travel agencies on West Street also sell tickets, but beware of inflated prices. Getting there: the venue is about 1.5 km from West Street, a 20-minute walk, or you can take the scenic area shuttle. Crowds are heavy after the show and taxis are hard to find, so it's best to walk back to West Street. Notes: the show is staged outdoors. It goes on in light rain, but it is cancelled and refunded in a heavy downpour. Bring a raincoat, as umbrellas are not allowed inside. Use mosquito repellent in summer. In winter, the riverside gets cold at night, so dress warmly. Front-center seats offer the best view but cost more, while Zone B offers good value.

Impression Sanjie Liu

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