Tang Paradise
China’s first large royal cultural theme park that fully showcases the splendor of the Tang Dynasty
Tang Paradise is China’s first large royal cultural theme park that fully showcases the splendor of the Tang Dynasty. It features replica palaces, temples, and markets, making visitors feel as if they’ve traveled back to that golden era. Tang Paradise has become a cultural symbol of Xi’an, attracting over two million tourists each year, making it a must-see for Xi’an travel.
The park hosts various performances, such as the water show “Chasing Dreams in the Tang Dynasty” and the situational drama “Dreaming Back to the Tang.” These shows vividly recreate the culture and daily life of the Tang era. There are many unique restaurants and snack stalls where visitors can enjoy authentic Shaanxi cuisine. Additionally, the park offers souvenir shops and craft stores where guests can purchase exquisite Xi’an-themed keepsakes.
Table of Contents
Highlights of Tang Paradise
Ziyun Tower (Chinese name: 紫云楼)
Ziyun Tower is the central building of Tang Paradise and is the largest replica Tang royal structure in China. The complex features vibrant colors like red, yellow, and blue, showcasing the grandeur and magnificence of Tang architecture. Each night, the square in front of Ziyun Tower hosts Asia’s largest water curtain movie, “The Monkey King.” The performance combines a music fountain, lasers, and flames. Fans of “Journey to the West” and Sun Wukong shouldn’t miss this spectacular show!
Colorful Cloud Gallery (彩霞长廊)
The Colorful Cloud Gallery is a cultural corridor that reflects the diverse lives of women in the Tang Dynasty, stretching 270 meters long. It consists of golden and jade pavilions along with the long corridor itself. This gallery is a popular spot for fans of traditional Chinese clothing, especially at night when it’s beautifully decorated with lanterns, making it a perfect photography location. As you stroll through the Colorful Cloud Gallery, you can admire delicately crafted porcelain plates featuring artwork on the front and poetry on the back.
Flag Pavilion (旗亭)
The Flag Pavilion is located along the central axis of the park, directly facing Ziyun Tower across Furong Lake. Its design reflects classical architectural aesthetics, featuring a round top and symmetrical internal structure. The pavilion is primarily colored in red and brown, with its curved eaves and bright red columns making it particularly striking in the garden.
Silver Bridge Waterfall (银桥飞瀑)
The Silver Bridge Waterfall is an artificial waterfall known for its powerful cascade, creating a thunderous roar as the water crashes onto the rocks, splashing and enveloping the area in mist—a scene reminiscent of a fairyland. Inspired by the Tang Dynasty legend of the “White Dragon Manifesting,” visitors on Furong Bridge can feel the rising mist, as if witnessing the breathtaking moment the dragon rises from the water. In late autumn, the lush willows and yellowing leaves around the waterfall add a unique charm to the setting.
Soul of Poetry (诗魂)
The “Soul of Poetry” sculpture is the largest stone sculpture group in China. It features towering peaks that symbolize the important position of Tang poetry in literature and the unmatched literary heights achieved by famous Tang poets. The sculpture includes renowned figures like Li Bai, Du Fu, Wang Wei, Wang Changling, and Bai Juyi, as well as emperors like Li Shimin and Li Longji, along with their poetic works.
Apricot Garden (杏园)
During the Tang Dynasty, with the development of the imperial examination system, the Apricot Garden became a venue for emperors to hold banquets for successful candidates. Historically, the garden was named for its abundant apricot trees. Today, it features a variety of trees, including apricot, cherry, elm, willow, and maple. In front of the main hall, there is a statue of Confucius, revered as the Sage of Literature in ancient China.
Qujiang Hudian (曲江胡店)
The Qujiang Hudian in Tang Paradise brings together a variety of Shaanxi delicacies, time-honored brands from Chang’an (ancient Xi’an), and treasures from the Silk Road. It also offers visitors a chance to deeply explore Tang culture through local specialties, cultural products, and performances featuring intangible cultural heritage and Silk Road themes. Here, visitors can fully experience the prosperity and cultural diversity of the Tang Dynasty through various cultural forms, including incense-making, pottery, paper-cutting, and shadow puppetry.
Lady's Pavilion (仕女馆)
The Lady’s Pavilion in Tang Paradise is a replica Tang architectural complex centered around the Wangchun Pavilion, showcasing the spirit of free women in the unprecedentedly open society of the Tang Dynasty. It highlights how Tang women dared to compete with men in various fields, including clothing, politics, and love.
Wangchun Pavilion has three levels, each with a specific theme. The first floor displays the clothing of Tang women through silk sculptures and other artistic forms. The second floor features historical figures like Empress Wu Zetian, Shangguan Wan’er, and Princess Taiping, illustrating women’s roles in politics. The third floor presents love stories and beauty practices of Tang women through bas-reliefs, bronze mirrors, and cosmetic columns.
Performances at Tang Paradise
Dreaming Back to the Tang (梦回大唐)
The “Dreaming Back to the Tang” performance takes place at the Fengming Jiutian Theater in Tang Paradise. The show follows a modern girl named “Meng” on her journey through time to find a thousand-year-old love story. It combines immersive experiences with musical theater and traditional song and dance, using innovative stage design and stunning sound effects to create a powerful dramatic impact for the audience.
Drum (鼓)
This performance uses an immersive stage narrative to tell the story of a gifted youth in Tang Chang’an (ancient Xi’an) who grows into a legendary drummer through various trials. It showcases the essence of ancient Chinese classical music, highlighting Xi’an’s drumming traditions with a heartfelt storyline that embodies the soul of China.
Practical Travel Tips
- Tang Paradise has two entrances: the West Gate and the South Gate. Most visitors come in through the West Gate.
- It’s a good idea to enter around 4 PM. There are lots of shows in the afternoon, and the park looks amazing when the lights come on at night.
- Wear comfy shoes because Tang Paradise is pretty big, and you’ll be walking a lot.
- In the evening, there are plenty of performances, like water curtain movies, music fountains, and laser water dances. Don’t miss them!
Hours and Fees
Hours
- Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Admission
- 120 CNY (approximately 17 USD) per person
How to Get to Tang Paradise
By Bus
- Buses that pass by Tang Paradise include routes 22, 23, 24, 44, 146, 189, 212, 224, 307, 526, and 609.
By Subway
- You can reach Tang Paradise by taking Line 4 of the subway. After getting off at Tang Paradise Station(大唐芙蓉园站), it’s just a 360-meter walk from Exit A to the park.
How Visitors Rate the Tang Paradise
Local tourists from China
As a garden, it has spacious lakes and beautifully arranged Tang-style buildings. The water is clear and reflects the surrounding hills and architecture, creating a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere. There are also many free performances throughout the park. If you plan to explore, be sure to check the performance times and routes!
