Top 12 Night Shows & Performances in China
After a day of sightseeing, watching a performance at night is a great way to relax while still enjoying something culturally enriching. It offers a change of pace from day tours, allowing you to sit back, enjoy a meal, and watch skilled performers. Cities like Xi'an, Beijing, and Hangzhou offer diverse shows that cater to different tastes. These can range from large-scale cultural performances to intimate traditional music shows.
Let's see what night performance you can see during your trip to China. If you're interested in any of the following shows, you may contact us at anytime for ticket bookings or more detailed information.
In Beijing
Beijing hosts a wide variety of large-scale performances that showcase different forms of art, including traditional Chinese opera, modern theater, dance, and musical concerts. These performances often feature high production values, including elaborate sets, intricate costumes, and advanced lighting and sound technologies. Below are the highly recommended night performances in Beijing.
Red Theatre Beijing Acrobatics Show
Set to beautiful music, you'll see incredible performance go through the illuminated show, and you'll immerse yourself in the acrobatics world. This is appropriate for the whole family. Hotel transfer is optional.
| Chinese | 红剧场杂技 |
| Type | Acrobatics |
| Schedule | 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm; 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm |
| Ticket Price | The ticket prices vary based on seat location, ranging from 280 RMB (40 USD) to 880 RMB (125 USD). |
Liyuan Peking Opera Show
The actor is preparing for Peking Opera Show
Inside Liyuan theatre, you can sit around a Ba Xian Zhuo, which is an old-fashioned square table for eight people, and enjoy traditional Chinese tea with snacks like a local beijinger. If you want to learn more about Peking Opera, please come to Liyuan Theatre before 19:00 to see how the actors are made up in various facial painting on the stage, which is not allowed in other Opera House.
All the Repertoires are carefully selected by Liyuan Theatre. Farewell, My Concubine, The Crossroads, Autumn River, Celestial Beauty Scattering Flowers, Romance of the Jade Bracelet, and Stealing Immortal Heaven-Grass are the most popular shows.
If it is difficult for you to understand, do not worry; there are English subtitles on both sides of the stage, which can help you easily follow the repertoire of stories.
| Chinese | 梨园京剧 |
| Type | Peking Opera |
| Schedule | 7:30 pm to 8:50 pm every day |
| Ticket Price | The ticket prices vary based on seat location, ranging from 280 RMB (40 USD) to 580 RMB (83 USD). |
In Xi'an
The performances in Xi'an are very distinctive, with gorgeous stages. It's famous for the grand historical themes and immersive storytelling that reflect the history of the Tang Dynasty and the ancient Silk Road.
Performers will wear intricate costumes that reflect Tang dynasty fashion, while the choreography reflects historical and classical Chinese themes, such as court life, festivals, and cultural ceremonies.
Most of the Xi'an night shows we recommend here include both dinner and the performance. It's actually a tradition of imperial banquets in ancient times. Attending one will take you through time and space. As if you're one of the nobles and actually enjoying an imperial meal.
The Tang Dynasty Palace & Dumpling Banquet
Delicious dumplings in Dumpling Banquet
The stage setup and table arrangements exude the ancient charm of "Chang'an," transporting you back to the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty Palace offers a banquet featuring Tang-style cuisine prepared in Chinese fashion but served with Western-style service.
The Tang Dynasty Palace Dumpling Banquet includes cold dishes, 12 types of steamed dumplings, 2 types of fried dumplings, 2 types of baked dumplings, soup dumplings, sweet dumplings, traditional gold and silver dumplings, a fruit platter, and soft drinks. A vegetarian dumpling banquet with 20 dishes can also be arranged.
| Chinese | 唐乐宫 |
| Type | Dumpling Banquet with Singing and Dancing |
| Schedule | Dinner time: 6:50 pm to 8:10 pm; Singing and Dancing: 8:30 pm to 9:40 pm |
| Ticket Price | 370 RMB (53 USD); for Dumpling Banquet only: 150 RMB (21 USD) ; for Singing and Dancing only: 268 RMB (38 USD) |
Xi'an Silk Road: Legend of Camel Bell Show
Based on the adventures on the ancient Silk Road, the show tells a tale centered on friendship, bravery, and the spirit of adventure. The show, featuring live animal appearances, high-energy stunts and acrobatic acts, weaves together elements from different cultures along the Silk Road and presents them with impressive light and sound design, creating a dynamic and visually stunning experience.
| Chinese | 驼铃传奇 |
| Type | Immersive stage show |
| Schedule | On weekdays: Start at 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:45 pm and 4 pm; on weekends: Start at 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm |
| Ticket Price | The ticket prices vary based on seat location, ranging from 288 RMB (41 USD) to 458 RMB (65 USD). |
A gentle reminder: It is recommended to choose seats toward the back when bringing children and elderly. Because the sound might be loud for them.
In Chengdu
Sichuan is home to the unique Shu culture. The term "Shu" originates from the ancient Shu Kingdom, which existed as early as the 4th millennium BCE in the Sichuan.
Shu culture has produced unique artistic traditions, including Sichuan opera, a highly expressive form of Chinese opera known for its famous face-changing technique, where performers rapidly change masks to reveal different emotions or characters.
Basically, it's easy to find Shu culture themed performances in Chengdu. Here are some most recommended ones.
Shu Feast Ode
Traditional face-changing show in Chengdu
Here, you can not only enjoy the charm of musical performances, light and shadow art, and exquisite cuisine but also learn about, experience, and fall in love with the beauty of traditional Chinese culture through the reenactments of the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties. Shu Feast Ode is more than just a restaurant. It's a stage. Its biggest highlight is its connection to the Han culture of the Shu region, famous historical figures from Shu, and the rich culinary traditions of Sichuan.
| Chinese | 蜀宴赋 |
| Type | Traditional Chinese Banquet with Singing and Dancing |
| Schedule | 12:30 pm to 2 pm; 7 pm to 8:30 pm |
| Ticket Price | The ticket prices vary based on seat location, ranging from 498 RMB (71 USD) to 798 RMB (114 USD). |
Shu Feng Ya Yun - Sichuan Opera Show
Puppet show of Shu Feng Ya Yun
Sichuan Opera and face-changing performances. The VIP seats offer a choice of one experience from the following: back tapping, ear cleaning, or shadow puppetry experiencing.
| Chinese | 蜀风雅韵 |
| Type | Sichuan Opera |
| Schedule | 8 pm to 9:30 pm |
| Ticket Price | The ticket prices vary based on seat location, ranging from 90 RMB (13 USD) to 260 RMB (37 USD). |
In Shanghai
As an international metropolis, Shanghai attracts both local and global talent. This results in performances that are a mix of Eastern and Western styles. Many shows offer bilingual or non-verbal content that can be understood across cultures.
Many performances in Shanghai incorporate traditional Chinese elements, such as Chinese acrobatics or folk dance, alongside modern themes and storytelling techniques. It will also incorporate immersive or interactive elements, engaging the audience in unique ways. Some shows involve audience participation or use 3D projections, virtual reality, and other technologies to create a more engaging experience.
ERA Acrobats Show
This performance uses captivating acts, carefully designed multimedia audio-visual effects, modern props, live singing and instrumental performances, and interactive segments that extend into the audience. The acrobatics, which is extremely exciting, tells stories that have unfolded in Shanghai.
| Chinese | Era时空之旅 |
| Type | Acrobats |
| Schedule | 7:30 pm to 9:15 pm |
| Ticket Price | The ticket prices vary based on seat location, ranging from 380 RMB (54 USD) to 880 RMB (125 USD). |
SAGA City of Light Immersive Movie
As an "offline immersive movie", the show creates a scenario that immerses the visitors in a huge intrigue and a thrilling journey with multiple authentic scenes of 1930s Shanghai in an intensive performance. Generally speaking, you will take part in this movie and meet various characters of the story. In the movie, you need to reach the City of Light before the enemy steals it. All the decisions you make will affect the storyline.
| Chinese | SAGA光明之城 |
| Type | Offline immersive movie |
| Schedule | On weekdays: 6:00 am to 10:00 pm; on weekends: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, 6:00 to 10:00 pm |
| Ticket Price | 398 RMB (57 USD) per pax |
In Hangzhou
Many performances in Hangzhou are staged outdoors, using the natural beauty of Hangzhou's lakes, rivers, and mountains as a backdrop. They often feature stories from Chinese legends and folklore or highlight Hangzhou's significance of Southern Song Dynasty. The performers often appear as if they are walking or dancing on water, enhancing the audience's experience with the natural environment.
Besides, the large-scale night shows in Hangzhou are famous for their use of cutting-edge technology. Lighting, water projections, drones, and laser effects are frequently employed to create a visually stunning spectacle.
Song Dynasty Eternal Love Opera Show
The large-scale musical "Song Dynasty Eternal Love" uses advanced sound, light, and electrical technology, along with stage mechanics, to vividly portray the hardships of the Liangzhu people, the grandeur of the Song Dynasty imperial palace, the fierce battles of the Yue Family Army, and the timeless romance of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, as well as the story of Bai She and Xu Xian. It delivers a breathtaking visual experience and emotional impact for the audience.
| Chinese | 宋城千古情 |
| Type | Opera |
| Schedule | 2 pm; 6 pm; 7: 30 pm |
| Ticket Price | The ticket prices vary based on seat location, ranging from 300 RMB (43 USD) to 330 RMB (47 USD). |
X Acrobat Show
The X Show in Hangzhou
The Hangzhou "X Show" (formerly "X: The Realm of Illusions") is an immersive experience fantasy show. As Cirque du Soleil's only resident show in Asia, the "X Show" was a sell-out on its opening day and received widespread acclaim and astonishment.
| Chinese | X秀(太阳马戏团) |
| Type | Acrobats (designed by Cirque De Soleil Group) |
| Schedule | From Wednesdays to Saturdays: 7:30 pm to 8:43 pm; on Sundays & Chinese holidays: 15:00-16:13 |
| Ticket Price | 288 RMB (41 USD) for both adults and children; 480 (68 USD) RMB for a two-person ticket |
In Guilin
Performances in Guilin are deeply influenced by local culture, natural beauty, and ethnic diversity. Most of the performances are based on nature-inspired settings, with breathtaking natural landscapes as their stage. It will also incorporate ethnic cultures because Guilin is home to several ethnic minority groups, including the Zhuang, Yao, Miao, and Dong people.
Additionally, lighting is one of the key elements in performances in Guilin, and it is also used to decorate scenic spots for night views. The 'Two Rivers and Four Lakes' night tour allows visitors to appreciate the natural scenery illuminated by colorful lights, which presents a stark contrast to the daytime landscape.
Yangshuo Impression Sanjie Liu
Impression Sanjie Liu in Yangshuo
It is a spectacular night show combining music and light, ethnic songs and dances, using the Li River and surrounding karst mountains as the stage and backdrop.
It shows for 1 hour once or twice per evening, after dark, except in heavy rain and one month in winter. The performance area is half an hour's walk (10 minutes by electric cart) downstream (southeast) from West Street.
| Chinese | 印象刘三姐 |
| Type | Outdoor singing and dancing performance |
| Schedule | In summer: The first session starts at 8:00 pm; the second starts at 9:35 pm. In winter: The first session starts at 7:30 pm; the second starts at 9:05 pm. Each session lasts about 70 minutes. |
| Ticket Price | The ticket prices vary based on seat location, ranging from 278 RMB (40 USD) to 888 RMB (126 USD). |
Night Cruise on the Two Rivers and Four Lakes
Guilin Approaching Nightfall
The night cruise on the Two Rivers and Four Lakes in Guilin offers a magical experience with illuminated landscapes, traditional Chinese bridges, and vibrant reflections on the water. Highlights include the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill glowing under soft lights, the elegant Sun and Moon Pagodas shining in gold and silver, and serene views of Banyan (Ronghu) and Fir (Shanhu) Lakes. Also, the cruise will stop at Gui Lake for about 5 minutes to watch a cormorant fishing demonstration.
There are different cruises for the Two Rivers and Four Lakes tour. The cruise we recommend here offers air conditioning and restrooms. There is no official tour guide, but your English-speaking guide can board the cruise for free. Traditional Chinese music performances are available on board, mostly featuring solo performances of the erhu.
| Chinese | 两江四湖夜游 |
| Type | Cruise |
| Schedule | In peak season: from 6 pm to 11 pm; in off-peak season: from 7 pm to 9:30 pm Cruises depart every 10 to 30 minutes. The entire tour lasts around 60 minutes. |
| Ticket Price | 314 RMB (45 USD) per pax. The price may fluctuate depending on the number of people and the peak season. |
Book the Ticket In Advance
If you're interested in any one of the night performances above, feel free to contact us to book a ticket. Since all of them are quite popular among tourists, do not hesitate for the chance to enjoy an amazing night in China!
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