Great Tang Ever Night City
It is China’s only large-scale pedestrian street featuring Tang Dynasty architecture.
The Great Tang Ever Night City is China’s only large-scale pedestrian street featuring Tang Dynasty architecture. Visitors can enjoy stunning ancient Chinese court dances, taste cuisine from the Tang era, admire various traditional crafts, and participate in DIY craft activities and costume photo sessions. The nighttime scenery is also a highlight, with dazzling lights and modern technology providing a breathtaking visual experience. Almost every tourist in Xi’an immerses themselves in the vibrant life of the Tang Dynasty here.
What truly captivates visitors is the rich array of traditional cultural activities. Parades, opera performances, and traditional music showcases each highlight the depth and extraordinary charm of the Tang Dynasty. Performers in ancient costumes perfectly blend history with modernity, making you feel as if you’ve stepped back into a flourishing era from a thousand years ago.
Table of Contents
Highlights of the Great Tang Ever Night City
Big Wild Goose Pagoda Water Dance Light Show (Chinese name: 大雁塔水舞光影秀)
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda Music Fountain is the largest matrix-style music and light water show in Asia. It’s located in the north square of the pagoda and features performances with the pagoda as the backdrop. You’ll see all kinds of patterns and images on the water, like wild geese, lotus flowers, and Buddha statues, reflecting the local culture. These visuals float on the water, giving a glimpse into the pagoda’s history and culture. There are four shows each day at 12:00, 4:00, 7:00, and 9:00 PM.
Dadong Performance (不倒翁表演)
The “Dadong” is a skill from ancient Chinese acrobatics that showcases balance and strength on a small platform. The performer usually wears traditional attire and wields a fan, bringing to life the grace of Tang Dynasty beauties with elegant moves. Because the close-up experience is limited, it’s best to line up at least 15 minutes before the show. Security will be on-site to manage the crowd. Performances happen daily from 7:30 to 7:45 PM, 8:15 to 8:30 PM, and 9:30 to 9:45 PM.
Secret Box of the Tang Dynasty (盛唐密盒)
The “Secret Box of the Tang Dynasty” features two performers in Tang attire reciting poetry. They randomly select passersby to join them for a couplet challenge; if you answer correctly, you’ll receive a small gift and can take a photo with the actors. Most questions focus on traditional Chinese culture, and thanks to the performers’ impressive knowledge and quick thinking, the activity engages the audience while promoting cultural awareness.
Music and Dance of Chang'an (乐舞长安)
“Music and Dance of Chang’an” is inspired by the vibrant cultural exchanges during the Tang Dynasty (650-755 AD). This era represents the peak of ancient Chinese dance art. In the Great Tang Night City, there’s a stunning camel stage, with a colorful blanket as the main performance area. Under the bright lights, four musicians surround the camel stage, filling the air with enchanting melodies. A dancer spins gracefully on stage, showcasing the elegance of Tang dance, enhanced by exotic elements that make it even more dazzling!
Spinning Hu Xuan (旋转的胡璇)
Hu Xuan dance was hugely popular during the Tang Dynasty. Its appeal came not just from its unique artistic style, but also from the open and inclusive cultural atmosphere of the time. The introduction and popularity of Hu Xuan reflect the confidence and tolerance of Tang culture, making it an important symbol of cultural exchange along the Silk Road. This dance is characterized by rapid, continuous spins, accompanied by lively percussion music that has a strong, upbeat rhythm. Dancers usually perform on a small round carpet, keeping their feet on it while executing bold and dynamic movements.
Illuminated Taibai (华灯太白)
This performance is the most interactive show at the Great Tang Night City. “Illuminated Taibai” brings the figure of Li Bai to life through a live actor. Li Bai was a romantic poet during the Tang Dynasty, often called the “Immortal Poet” by the Chinese. Under the night sky, the actor portraying Li Bai stands on stage, reciting poetry and engaging with visitors. As he moves slowly on a rotating light platform, he pauses to admire the bright moon and recite verses, creating an atmosphere that feels like the poet’s creative space.
Return to Chang'an (再回长安)
“Return to Chang’an” is the largest performance in terms of venue, number of actors, and duration. It tells the story of the famous poet Bai Juyi returning to Chang’an a thousand years ago, where he’s welcomed with fine wine. The show showcases various impressions of Xi’an from both modern and ancient perspectives. There’s only one performance each night, lasting half an hour, so it’s best to arrive early. It’s the most grand event in the Night City!
The Zhenguan Reign (贞观之治)
This performance is set against the backdrop of Emperor Taizong Li Shimin’s Zhenguan era, showcasing the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. Founded in 618 AD, the Tang Dynasty had 21 emperors and lasted 289 years, marking it as one of the most prosperous dynasties in Chinese history. At its peak, the Tang economy accounted for 58% of the world’s GDP.
Popular Restaurants Near the Great Tang Ever Night City
Enjoying authentic Xi’an cuisine during your travel in Xi’an
Chang'an Dapaidang Shaanxi History Museum Cultural Restaurant (Seige Flagship Store) 长安大牌档之陕历博文化餐厅(赛格旗舰店)
- The decor is full of the vibrant atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty. The young servers wear traditional outfits, making you feel like you’ve stepped back into a bustling Tang marketplace. During peak dining hours, there are song performances and interactive moments with customers. You can enjoy delicious food while taking in the lively shows, creating an amazing vibe.
Chang’an Hulu Chicken: A classic dish from Shaanxi! The outside is crispy, and when you take a bite, it crackles. Inside, the chicken is tender and juicy. Dip it in the sauce, and every bite bursts with Shaanxi flavor. It’s a must-try!
Feizi Xiao: It looks like lychee, but it’s actually fried shrimp balls. The outside is crispy, and inside are two big shrimp, with a red bean mimicking the lychee pit. Paired with two sauces, it’s fresh and delicious!
Mao Bi Su: These are hot, flaky pastries shaped like paintbrushes. They come in different flavors like durian, red bean, pineapple, matcha, and chocolate, and the filling is really good too.Address:
10th Floor, Parking Area 9, Seige International Shopping Center, Xiaozhai East Road
Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Average Spend:
70 CNY (about 10 USD)
Practical Travel Tips
- The walking street in Great Tang Ever Night City is pretty long, so wear comfortable shoes. In summer and fall, the nights are nice, but bring a light jacket just in case it gets cold or there’s A/C.
- When it’s crowded, keep an eye on your stuff, especially your phone and wallet.
- You don’t need to arrive too early, but don’t be late either. If you come too early, it feels empty; if you come too late, you’ll miss the shows. The best time to enter is around 6:30 PM.
- The Tang dynasty vibe is strong here, so if you want great photos, consider wearing traditional Hanfu. There are plenty of rental shops nearby.
- Starting at 7 PM, there are 14 free performances, each about ten minutes long!
Hours and Fees
Hours
- Open all day.
Admission
- No admission fee required.
How to Get to Great Tang Ever Night City
By Bus
- You can take several bus routes to get to Great Tang Ever Night City, including: 212, 224, 22, 23, 242, 24, 44, 500 (the branch line), 526, 609, and 715.
By Subway
- The main subway stations near Datang Ever Bright City are Da Tang Fu Rong Yuan(大唐芙蓉园地铁站) and Da Yan Ta(大雁塔地铁站).
- If you’re taking Line 4, get off at Da Tang Fu Rong Yuan and exit at Gate D. It’s about an 813-meter walk to your destination.
- If you’re taking Line 4 of the Xi’an subway, you can get off at Da Yan Ta station and exit from Gate C. It’s about a 967-meter walk to your destination.
