Yangshuo, Impression Liu Sanjie (2009, Apr 20)

The Liu Sanjie 劉三姐 Show or Yangshuo water impression show is a relatively new developed show. The performance was premiered on March 20th, 2004. A huge outdoor performance with 2.500 seats available now. The participants in the show are all local, mostly from Zhuang and Yao ethnicity.

Liu Sanjie is a story that originates from the Zhuang minority people. The Zhuang are the largest minority group in China. The story is about a legend of a woman called Liu Sanjie, which means "third sister". The legend tells the tale of Liu Sanjie who had a beautiful voice at very early age. Her voice was so beautiful it even could raise the dead. The story in the movie as in the legend and the movie is about a local gangster: Mo Huairen. The gangster falls in love with Liu Sanjie and wished to make her his concubine. The boyfriend and his friends in the village free her and the couple escape turning themselves in a pair of larks.

Zhang Yimou 張藝謀 is the director of the show. The Liu Sanjie Impression was his first creation of the so called "Impression" 印象. There are also 2 similar lightshows in China, i.e. Lijiang Yunnan (Jade Dragon Snow Mountain) and in Hangzhou's West Lake. Zhang Yimou who was also the chief director and creative brain of the 2008 Olympic Games uses the natural resources (therefore the name "Water show") of Yangshuo to give his show a maximum effect. The usage of lights and water emphasizes the beauty of the Li River and the limestone mountains in a way no one had seen ever. The performance is staged in a natural setting, where the stage is the Li River, and the backdrop is the mountains.

Too bad I only carried a pocket camera with me and couldn't capture the thorough impressions that Zhang meant when he created the show. Anyway, it's highly recommended and a must-see lightshow... especially on a perfect full moon night.
 

http://www.yangshuo-travel-guide.com/

Impression Show

Admission Fee:
Ordinary CNY 188
VIP CNY 320
President CNY 680

For children:
Height below 1.1m and under: Free (not occupying a seat).
Height between 1.1m and 1.4m: Child Fare.
Height 1.4m or above: Adult Fare.

Opening Hours: 20:00 - 21:30
桂林廣維文華旅游文化產業有限公司
訂票電話: 86-773-8811982
www.yxlsj.com

During the show, you are not allowed to smoke cigarettes, snap pictures or leave before the show ends.

Preface

 

 A natural theater which utilizes the waters of Li River as its stage with twelve misty hills as its backdrop. The valleys, the hills, the cool breeze and the gurgling streams are all elements contributing to the three-dimensional sound effect. A spectacular show with a cast of 600 people using nature as an integral part of its performers.

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. As the lights come up, the twelve hills appear in front of the audience; and a small fishing boat is rowed from the hills. This is the Preface - the Legend of Hills and Rivers.

First Chapter

 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.

Red Impression

 

Second Chapter

 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.

Green Impression

Third Chapter

Golden Impression

 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.

Fourth Chapter

Blue Impression

 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.

Blue Impression

Blue Impression

 

Blue Impression

 

 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.

Last Chapter

 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.

Silvery Impression

 

Silvery Impression

 

Epilogue

 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.

Epilogue

 

Audience Seats

 

 

 A huge outdoor performance with 2500 seats available. Its auditorium is housed on the natural islands of the river with the audience sitting on the designed terraces, surrounded by green plants.