Impression of Liu Sanjie


Impression of  Liu Sanjie is a major performance, which is set in the natural landscape of Yangshuo, and is directed by the famous Chinese director, Zhang Yimo. The stage for the performance is composed of a two-kilometer-long water area with twelve mountains as the background. It is the largest natural theater in the world. The whole performance lasts for about 60 minutes with a cast of some 600 performers, all of whom are local fishermen. Tickets for the performance range from CNY188 to 680 per person. The site of the great performance is about one kilometer away from the West Street. You can walk there in 10 to 15 minutes.

The performance was premiered on March 20th, 2004 at the Sanjie Liu Sing Fair, one mile from West Street. This is the world largest natural theater which utilizes the waters of the Li River as its stage, with twelve mist shrouded hills and the heavens as its backdrop.  The performance is divided into seven chapters including the preface and epilogue. At the beginning, the lights are all turned off and the image of Sanjie appears indistinctly in the sky with beautiful songs 'Sing the folk songs, here I am singing and there you are echoing...'. As the lights come up, the twelve hills appear in front of the audients; and a small fishing boat is rowed from the hills. This is the Preface - the Legend of Hills and Rivers.

The first chapter is the Red Impression: Folk Songs. On the water, many fishermen are rowing their bamboo rafts in a column. Either standing or squatting, they hang the large red silk in the sky and or upon the water. This red picture symbolizes the enthusiasm and praises the labors of the local people.

The second chapter is the Green Impression: Garden. The color green symbolizes nature as well as the vitality. Among the green hills and rivers, the smoke from cooking fires curls upward; herders are heading home with their cattle under the gleam of the sunset. The women, washing clothes beside the water are waiting for their husbands who are rowing the fishing rafts back home. This chapter reveals the peaceful and happy life of the local people.

The third chapter is the Golden Impression: Fishing Lights. Hundreds of bamboo rafts with golden fishing lights are spreading all over the river. The rafts, gently rocking make the golden fishing lights dance upon the waters, the straw rain capes, the frolic cormorants and the hills construct a perfect picture describing the simple existence of the people around the Li River.


The fourth chapter is the Blue Impression: Love Songs. Under the deep blue sky, and on the dark blue water, the performer of Sanjie is singing classical love songs. Then, a crescent-shaped boat with a charming fairy dancing in is flying onto the surface of the water. A group of pretty and young girls, dressed in red or white are bathing around the boat. In this blue world, these beautiful girls seem to become the notes of Sanjie's love songs.

The last chapter is the Silvery Impression: Performance Grand Ceremony. As the 'Wonder of Lijiang Culture', this scenery reflects the traditional ceremony in Sanjie's hometown according to the legend. Over 200 Zhuang girls form a long column across the bridge over the Li River. Their silver dresses make the river shimmer in a mysterious manner.


In the Epilogue, the fishing rafts are rowed farther and farther from the audience while the beautiful songs of Sanjie are still echoing among the hills. The girls on the bridge present their thanks for the audience with their affectionate folk songs.

Except for the perfect seven pictures, the performance also boasts both modern and classical music played by famous musicians of China. Additionally, there are in excess of 600 performers, all of whom are local people of the Li River. They present the reality of life for the people in Sanjie's hometown through their primitive and wonderful performances.


Travel Tips
Address: No. 1, Tianyuan Road, Yangshuo County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Timing and Duration: The first session: 19:30-20:40; The second session: 21:05-22:15 ( 1. The above timing is only for winter. Please check with us about the exact performance time if you book the tickets with us.  2. The show of Impression Liusanjie generally is close for 1 month before Chinese traditional New Year.)
Type of Seat and Ticket 
Ordinary seat (C): RMB198/per person
VIP seat (B2): RMB238/per person
VIP sea t(B1): RMB320/per person
President seat (A2) :RMB480/per person
President seat (A1): RMB680/per person


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