Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show is a wonderful performance of the ancient music and dance. Certainly, the show is a must when you visit
Xian City. The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show is an outstanding exponent of this ancient stable and prosperous society, keeping alive its splendid culture and providing an insight into the peaceful life style of the period.
History OF the Tang Music and Dance
Formerly known as Chang'an, the city has a very long history, and was the imperial capital during 13 dynastic periods. Of these, the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) was the most prosperous and glorious of all. As an art form, the show has its roots in folk fetes, when dances were first performed by people as part of rituals of prayer for a good harvest or a better life. Over thousands of years, the dances developed from a few simple postures or gestures to become delicate and artistic reaching a peak during the Tang Dynasty.
Unlike some other regimes, the Tang was open to outside influences and was willing to take in the best of various art forms of not only the past dynasties but also the ethnic groups in the northwestern China as well as central and western Asia. Thus a wide range of unusual oriental musical instruments, many techniques such as painting, sculpting, pattern and costume design, cuisine and dining etiquette, singing and dancing was accepted by the Chinese, paving the way for the kind of entertainment that is now the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.
By combining poetry with the skilled playing of musical instruments, singing, dancing and also stunning costumes, the modern presentation is certain to give you an impressive view of ancient China including its splendid history, brilliant arts, distinct traditions and customs.
Creation of Modern Tang Music and Dance
The show presented today is a recreation of a traditional entertainment attributable to a great variety of historical records and relics. In 1981, the artists of Shaanxi Provincial Song & Dance Troupe, inspired by the thriving tourist industry, conceived a series of programs to illustrate on stage the history, culture and artistic heritage of
Xian. At that time, the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, as a comprehensive form of art being lost in admiration, promptly came into the sight of the artists.
In order to embody the characteristics of the music and the dance of Tang accurately, the artists spent much time reading the relevant books, historical records and monographs on the entertainments enjoyed by the royal court. They also set about learning traditional arts from folk artists and consulted experts on certain issues. With the written materials as a basis, they then visited many historical sites such as
Dunhuang, Yungang and Longmen as these were a great source of contemporary visual information due to the presence of frescoes, carvings and sculptures.
Over a year was spent on preparation and using a visualization of the imperial court as its setting, the production was an integration of a series of successive programs of music, singing and dancing, manifesting a unique classical style and features typical of
Xian. The specific work of composing and choreographing had been started in June of 1982 and through the joint efforts of many artists, the debut of the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show on October 1st in that year proved to be a great success and was highly praised by a delegation from UNESCO.
The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show has now become a classic entertainment that has been warmly appreciated by audiences running into hundreds of thousands for more than twenty years. The production has toured many cities in China as well as numerous foreign countries such as Japan, Russia, Korea, Singapore, Norway, Denmark, etc.
Classical Programs
The Show is put on at the Tang Dynasty Palace in
Xian City. The show includes eight classical programs, namely the Melody of Longevity of the Emperor, White Ramie Cloth Costume Dance, Da Nuo Dance, Rainbow Skirt and the Feathered Coat Dance, Battling Dance of the King of
Qin, Song of Spring Outing, Oriole Singing in Spring, and Ta Ge Dance. Among them, the Oriole Singing in Spring performed by the famous panpipe master Gao Ming is the highlight.
Situated along the north-south axis of Xian and adjacent to the city center, the
Tang Dynasty Palace, also Tang Yue Gong, boasts that it is China's premier cultural entertainment theatre restaurant, offering the only cultural show in Xian completed by a totally live classical Chinese orchestra. Established in 1988, the Tang Dynasty Palace has cooperated with the Shaanxi Provincial
Song & Dance Troupe and has staged the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, which has proved to be a great success and is welcomed by numerous audiences, especially foreign visitors.
In addition to appreciating the wonderful performance, you can also enjoy the delicious meals provided at the Tang Dynasty Palace. With its large auditorium of 3,230 square yards (2,700 square meters), it can comfortably hold about 650 diners at a time. The various savory dishes together with the exciting show will be sure to give satisfaction to your appetite, your eyes and your mind.
Travel Tips
Add: No.75, North Chang'an Road (on the east side of the road and opposite Xian Hotel)
Entrance Fee:
CNY 1000: Luxury Imperial Court Dinner + Tang Music and Dance Show;
CNY 500: Imperial Court Dinner + Tang Music and Dance Show (CNY 250 for childen under 12 years);
CNY 400: Dumpling Dinner + Tang Music and Dance Show;
CNY 350: Shaanxi Local Snack Dinner;
CNY 220: Tang Music and Dance Show
Opening Hours: Dinner Time: 18:50 - 20:10; Show Time: 20:30 - 21:40
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