Popular Cultural Performance Shows in Guilin
Guilin, as a prominent tourist city in China, offers a series of shows that are an integral part of its tourist attraction. Below are some of the most memorable shows that visitors should not miss to enrich their experience in Guilin.
Impression Liusanjie
- Duration: 70 minutes
- Location: Guilin Li River Theater (桂林漓江山水剧场), Yangshuo
"Impression Liusanjie" is an impressive night show that has become one of the main attractions of Yangshuo. This show tells the legendary life of Liusanjie, a famous figure from Guangxi. The scenery of the show is exceptional, covering a 2 square kilometer water area on the Li River, surrounded by 12 spectacular peaks and a vast sky, creating a magical atmosphere with modern lighting effects. This show not only offers outstanding artistic performance, but also showcases the natural beauty of Guilin and its cultural traditions. However, in August 2017, the show's operating company filed for bankruptcy due to a significant debt of 1.4 billion yuan.
Dream Like Lijiang
- Duration: 80 minutes
- Location: Guilin Dream Theater (梦幻漓江剧院), No.95 Guilin Qixing Road
"Dream Like Lijiang" is a show that combines ballet and acrobatics in a panoramic staging. The show is made up of four themes: the creation of mountains and waters, life and immortality, underwater wonders and the charm of the East. It presents a fantastical world through ballet and acrobatic performances performed by award-winning artists. The theater, built against a hill, offers comfortable seating and multimedia bathrooms, providing a luxurious experience for spectators. Highlights of this show include the unique combination of ballet and acrobatics, a panoramic stage, and the use of high-quality sound and lighting equipment.
Cormorant Fishing Show
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Location: Lake Laurel
Cormorant fishing is a unique tradition in China, dating back hundreds of years. This method of night fishing is a fascinating experience for visitors, who can observe up close how the cormorants, under the direction of their owners, dive to catch fish in the river. Fishermen use illuminated bamboo rafts to guide the birds, which are experts at catching fish underwater. The cormorants return to the rafts with the fish in their beaks, receiving small fish as a reward. This spectacle at Lake Laurel offers a serene and harmonious image of the interaction between man and nature.
Guilin Night Theater
- Duration: 1.5 hours, starting at 07:45 PM
- Location: Li River Theater (漓江剧院), No.12 Bingjiang Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin
The Guilin Night Theater offers an impressive acrobatic show, with lighting effects and specially designed scenery. Inspired by the beautiful landscape and cultural heritage of Guilin, this show presents an idyllic and romantic love story with nature, complemented by colorful costumes, folk songs, exotic dances and aerial acrobatics. Produced by the Guilin Tourism and Entertainment Corporation, this show was directed by members of the team responsible for the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.
Additional Information
Watch a nighttime show is a great way to conclude a day of exploring Guilin. The shows not only offering entertainments but also a deep dive into local culture. For foreign travelers, it is not an easy job to purchase tickets for these shows unless you can read Chinese and can manage the payment. However, if you travel with us, we can help you to book the ticket, drive you to the theater and and back to your hotel, no matter how late it is.
