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The Song of Everlasting Sorrow · Xi’an night show

About the show

A 70-minute outdoor dance drama in nine acts, staged on the water at Huaqing Palace with the Li Mountains behind it.

The show

A Tang dynasty story played on water

Changhenge (The Song of Everlasting Sorrow) is a live dance drama at Huaqing Palace in Lintong, on the edge of Xi'an.

It retells the romance of Emperor Xuanzong and Lady Yang, and the rebellion that brought it to an end. The story moves from the early years at court to the parting at Mawei, and back to the foot of the Li Mountains.

The show runs for about 70 minutes and is split into nine acts with no interval. There is no proscenium arch. The audience faces Jiulong Lake, which is used as a water stage, and the Li Mountains form the backdrop. Lighting, water screens and the night sky are part of the set, so the open air matters as much as the choreography.

It has played at Huaqing Palace since 2006 as a regular evening show. This site is an independent booking guide, not the official box office. The details below are compiled from public sources and are for reference only, so check official channels and the venue on the day before you travel.

Venue

Jiulong Lake open-air theatre, Huaqing Palace

Address

38 Huaqing Road, Lintong, Xi'an

Runtime

About 70 minutes, nine acts, no interval

Stage

Outdoor water stage on Jiulong Lake, with the Li Mountains behind it

Usual start times

18:30, 19:55, 21:20 and 22:45

Tickets

Zone-only seating; seats are assigned by the system

From the stage

A look at the nine acts

Selected production photos. Filming by the audience is not allowed inside the theatre.

Act one: Lady Yang is chosen to enter the palace.
Act one: Lady Yang is chosen to enter the palace.
Act two: a private vow at the Palace of Eternal Youth.
Act two: a private vow at the Palace of Eternal Youth.
Act three: the spring bathing scene at the hot springs.
Act three: the spring bathing scene at the hot springs.
Act four: music and dance high in the Li palace.
Act four: music and dance high in the Li palace.

Before you go

A few things to know before you come

  • The show is outdoors. Bring a layer for the evening and flat, comfortable shoes.
  • It runs about 70 minutes without an interval, so plan around that.
  • Entry is checked guest by guest; bring the original ID document for every person in your party.
  • Filming, drones, smoking, large luggage and folding chairs are not allowed.

This is an independent booking guide, not the official site. Schedules and prices follow official channels and may change, so confirm on the day.

It plays at the foot of the Li Mountains

Nine acts in about 70 minutes, with the lake and the night sky as part of the stage

Central ¥359 from · East/West A ¥289 from · VIP C ¥588

See showtimes & prices