Impression Sanjie Liu

Impression Sanjie Liu is an open-air night show staged on the Li River in Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi, China, directed by Zhang Yimou. The theatre sits in the Li River Scenic Area, and the stage is the river itself, with twelve karst peaks forming the backdrop and a cast of several hundred performers, many of them local villagers and fishermen. Bamboo rafts, red silk and lights are used to create scenes drawn from the folk legend of Liu Sanjie, a Zhuang singer whose songs became a symbol of the region's culture. The show runs for about 70 minutes, normally starting at around 8:00 PM nightly, with some nights offering a second session, so the day's schedule should be checked in advance. Tickets cost about 200 to 400 yuan depending on seat tier, which can be confirmed on Trip.com or the official WeChat account. Children under 1.2 metres enter free when sharing a seat, and an ID check is made at the gate. Total time including entry and exit is about two hours. The seating is a tiered grandstand on the riverbank, and the central seats give the best view of the whole stage, while the outer seats are cheaper. The performance happens outdoors, so rain is possible, and a raincoat is usually provided. Clear evenings from spring to autumn are best, and winter nights can be cold. The show is popular with tour groups, and tickets for peak periods sell out, so booking ahead is advisable. Photography is generally allowed without flash, but the dark conditions make clear images difficult. The theatre is about 10 minutes by taxi from Yangshuo West Street for 20 to 30 yuan, and many Guilin tour packages include a shuttle. After the show, taxis are scarce and queues form, so arranging return transport is important.