The Song of Everlasting Regret
The most popular performance during a trip to Xi’an
The “Song of Everlasting Regret”(Chinese Name: 长恨歌) is a big outdoor historical dance drama based on the poem by Tang poet Bai Juyi. The whole show lasts about 70 minutes and has ten acts. It brings to life the love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Yuhuan at Huaqing Palace over 1,300 years ago. Since it opened in 2007, the show has been performed over 5,000 times and attracted around 10 million viewers. If you’re only going to see one performance while traveling in Xi’an, it has to be the “Song of Everlasting Regret.”
The stage design of the performance is absolutely amazing. It uses Huaqing Pool as the backdrop and takes advantage of the natural landscape of Lishan to create a one-of-a-kind water stage. When night falls, the stage lights up beautifully. The dancers glide across the water, and their graceful movements, combined with the shimmering surface, create a dreamy atmosphere. Plus, the stage cleverly incorporates high-tech elements like rising platforms, water curtain projections, and special lighting effects. This makes the audience feel like they’re right in the middle of the glorious Tang Dynasty, experiencing that incredible history firsthand.
The music and costumes of “The Song of Everlasting Regret” really enhance the performance. The melodies are beautiful and captivating, sometimes soft and flowing, and other times powerful and intense. The costumes are stunning and faithfully recreate the style of the Tang Dynasty. This allows the audience to appreciate not just the show but also the unique charm of traditional Chinese attire.
In short, “The Song of Everlasting Regret” in Xi’an is a performance with both artistic value and deep cultural significance. It’s not just a feast for the eyes and ears; it’s also a soul-stirring experience. If you’re visiting Xi’an, you definitely shouldn’t miss this incredible show.
Table of Contents
Practical Travel Tips
- “The Song of Everlasting Regret” is a commercial show. Kids under 1.3 meters tall get in for free, but everyone else needs to buy a regular ticket.
- Each section is divided into odd and even numbered areas. Only adjacent odd or even numbers are sitting together! For example, 1 and 3 sit together, as do 2 and 4.
- It’s recommended to buy tickets for the middle section. In Zone A, you can see the stage details clearly, and the performers will pass right in front of you. The fireworks and fire effects will also be quite close, which makes for an awesome experience!
- Generally, the show goes on even in light rain, and staff will provide free raincoats for every audience member.
- Since it’s an outdoor performance at the foot of a mountain, dress appropriately, or it might get chilly!
- The visitor service center at the scenic area offers power bank rentals and luggage storage.
- During peak seasons or holidays, it’s best to book tickets at least 7 days in advance.
- Audience members can enter the scenic area through the west gate (Wangjing Gate望京门) of Huaqing Pool and follow the signs to the Jiulong Lake scenic area to watch the performance.
Q&A about "The Song of Everlasting Regret"
- Do I need to buy a ticket for Huaqing Palace to see “The Everlasting Regret”?
No, you don’t need a Huaqing Palace ticket just to watch the show. - Can I visit Huaqing Palace with a “The Song of Eternal Regret” ticket?
No, you can’t. They clear the area before the show, so other parts of the palace will be closed. - Can I choose my own seats for the performance?
You can choose the area since prices are different, but you can’t select specific seats; the system assigns them randomly. - How do I get back to Xi’an city center after the show?
After the first show, you can take the subway back to Xian. For later shows, there are return buses in parking area D that charge per person to get to the Bell Tower.
Hours and Fees
Hours
- Usually, from late March to the end of October, and from early December to the end of February, there are nightly performances of “The Song of Everlasting Regret” at Huaqing Palace.
- The performance times are: the first show starts at 7:10 PM, the second at 8:35 PM, the third at 10:00 PM, and the fourth at 11:25 PM. The times may vary by season.
Admission
The ticket prices are as follows:
VIP Area:
- VIP A Zone: 988 CNY (about $140)
- VIP B Zone: 888 CNY (about $127)
- VIP C Zone: 588 CNY (about $85)
Middle Area:
- Middle A Zone: 398 CNY (about $58)
- Middle B Zone: 368 CNY (about $54)
East and West Areas:
- East/West A Zone: 308 CNY (about $45)
- East/West B Zone: 278 CNY (about $40)
How to Get to "The Song of Everlasting Regret"
By Bus
- You can take bus routes 914, 915, or Tour Line 5. All of these buses stop at Huaqing Pool Station, and from there, it’s a short walk to the performance venue.
By Subway
- Take Metro Line 9 and get off at Huaqing Pool Station(华清池站), exit from Gate B to reach Huaqing Palace Scenic Area.
How Visitors Rate "The Song of Everlasting Regret"
Local tourists from China
At the beginning, countless lights lit up on Lishan, and the audience gasped in awe. The water curtain rising with shadowy figures was an amazing transition, and the fiery show in the second half brought real heat waves that felt like flashes of swordplay on my face. The whole experience was thrilling, and I would rather endure the trouble of not being able to get a ride afterward than leave before the final curtain. I sincerely applauded the actors!
As for the performance itself, it was pretty good overall. The sound, lighting, fire effects, and props all worked well together, and the scene transitions and actors were very professional.
