Visiting
The large-scale performance Impression Sanjie Liu is the core project of The Lijiang River Mountain-Water Theatre. It was invested in by Guilin Guangwei Wenhua Tourism and Culture Co. Ltd. and took five years to complete. This performance expresses the beautiful scenery of the Lijiang River, the colorful culture of the ethnic groups in Guangxi, and the creative imagination of excellent artists in China. It holds the distinction of being the world's first large-scale landscape performance.
Located in Yangshuo county, Guilin, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, curated by directors Zhang Yimou, Wang Chaoge, Fan Yue, and producer Mei Shuaiyuan, Impression Sanjie Liu is the first theatrical presentation of its kind in China.
Set on the Li River, the theatre boasts the biggest natural stage in the world, covering an area including a two-kilometer section of the Lijiang River and 12 peaks. The use of large-scale lighting and a special smoke-effect system creates a dreamlike world for the audiences.
Moreover, the sound system of the theatre is designed to be invisible and utilizes the natural echo of the mountains to create a captivating natural stereophonic effect.
The performance centers around the theme of Impression Sanjie Liu and skillfully combines classical Sanjie Liu songs, ethnic groups' culture, and the symbolism of fishing lights to reflect the harmonious relationship between human beings and nature. The entire performance lasts for 70 minutes.
The performance is inspired by the legend of the Guangxi song fairy, Sanjie Liu, but it goes beyond merely retelling her story. By incorporating the imagery of traditional Chinese painting and the melodic rhythms of local songs, Impression Sanjie Liu vividly portrays the life, customs, and, most notably, the breathtaking landscapes around the Lijiang River.
Impression Sanjie Liu does not follow a continuous narrative line or provide a direct translation of the lyrics. Instead, it utilizes the story of Sanjie Liu as an introduction and employs landscape and folk songs as visual methods to convey the rich cultural essence of ethnic groups like the Zhuang, Yao, Miao, Dong, and to depict the vibrant living scenes around the Lijiang River.
Chapter 1: Red Impression / Folk Song - Local customs
Main scenes: antiphonal songs, Red Silk Dance.
Young men and women from different ethnic groups hold torches and sing folk songs across the river, expressing their reverence for the nature and their enduring affection towards each other. Fishermen paddle their way freely along the Lijiang River. The waving red silks symbolize the closely-knit and heavily-loaded fishing nets. Coupled with the alternating formation of the bamboo rafts, the Red Silk Dance vividly presents the daily work on the Lijiang River. In combination with the dynamic lighting and music, the entire set poetically depicts the harmonious co-existence between local people and nature.
Chapter 2: Green Impression / Homeland - Local Life
Main scenes: the Grand Choir of the Dong Ethnic Group (live performance by Dong girls).
The evening glow, smokes from the kitchen chimneys, fishermen with their cormorants, shepherd boy with his cattle, housewives washing clothes by the riverside, youngsters romping around the village ... Such a lively picture of the daily life spent along the Lijiang River. These series of rural scenes depict the ordinary life in Sanjie Liu’s story, praising the beauty of her homeland.
Chapter 3: Gold Impression / Fishing Lights - The Starry Night.
Main scenes: the fishing lights on the Lijiang River.
On the Lijiang River, fishing lights glimmer brightly as stars. Late night witnesses the hard work of fishermen and records their respect for the nature and traditional culture inheritance.
Chapter 4: Blue Impression / Love Song - The Love Story.
Main scenes: the Dance of the Moon Fairy, river-bathing, and wedding.
The guarding fairy dances on the moon, gently illuminating and sheltering the night of the Lijiang River. Local girls bathe by the river, then help their sister put on her bridal dress, reluctantly bidding her farewell. The neatly-dressed bride embarks on the bridegroom’s boat, completing the three-bow marriage ritual as she leaves.
Chapter 5: Silver Impression / Pageantry - Resplendence.
Main scenes: silver ornaments.
In the darkness, young girls wearing specially made silver ornaments and garments (from the Miao ethnic group), hand in hand, slowly walk on the Lijiang River. With the resplendence of festivity shining all over their costumes, their dance become a part of the picturesque landscape, abstractly presenting the splendid local customs and festival atmosphere.
End: Sing to the Nature - The Finale.
Main scenes: all the actors take a curtain call (the fishermen actors come from the five surrounding villages of Maozai, Xingping, Tianjiahe, Mushan, and Mushanzha).
The fishing lights are getting far away, but the folk songs of Sanjie Liu are still lingering over the mountains and rivers. Impression Sanjie Liu gives thanks to nature and all our guests!
