Impressions Liu San Jie

You could call this a light show or a stage show but it is neither. It is a love story and the stage for this spectacular show with a cast of 600 people is ... the mighty river and both its banks. The backdrop is the karst peaks and they are lit up by coloured lights.

The 600 people sing and dance with flame-torches, traditional costumes and illuminated costumes (bulbs) together with ducks, comorants, water buffalos. All this takes place on the river on rafts, movable gangways and also on the banks. There is some screechy Chinese Opera style music but the rest is more contemporary.

It is amazing beyond words.

The ticket price is CNY188 officially but touts and agents typically get you in for CNY130-150 (about EUR15, which is a fortune in China) sometimes including transport. But as a visitor you must see it if within your budget.

As for the story ... I wasn't any clearer after the show except that it is a love story. Having just googled it ... here it is:

http://www.estudychinese.com/web/aboutchina/culture/classicalmusic/news04-4.htm