Don't Miss Xixi When Visiting Hangzhou! A Wetland by Day, the Song Dynasty by Night—Experience a Tear-Jerking and Romantic Hangzhou Story

If you visit Hangzhou

without experiencing a Song Dynasty night tour at Xixi Wetland,

you'll leave with regrets.

The live performance "Tonight in Xixi"

at Xixi Wetland blends devotion to country

with beautiful romance.

It's not just a show—

it's a journey back in time through Song poetry.

Follow this travel guide

and join us on this

emotional journey.

The entrance here isn't the main Zhoujiacun Gate of Xixi Wetland.

When you arrive, navigate directly to "Jinxi Gong Xixi."

Entry begins at 18:20. First, pick up your tickets at the Performance Service Center,

then enter the park. Before the show starts,

there will be a series of song and dance performances to warm up the crowd.

You can explore the park immersively

and interact with NPCs. The official performance begins at 19:10

and lasts about 70 minutes.

There are no fixed seats—

the entire Hong Garden in Xixi Wetland is the stage.

You can change into your favorite Hanfu,

follow the actors as scenes change one by one,

and get up close with the NPCs,

feeling like you've become part of the story.

"Tonight in Xixi"

is based on real historical figures from Hong Garden in Hangzhou.

Modeled after Hong Hao, the Minister of Rites of the Southern Song Dynasty—known as the Su Wu of the Song—

it tells the story of his mission to the Jin Kingdom,

where he was detained for 15 years,

while his wife, Lady Shen,

waited at home until her death.

It's a tale of patriotism and beautiful love.

What makes this performance special is that it's divided into north and south routes.

The south route follows the heroine's perspective.

Following Lady Shen, you see her day-after-day waiting,

her dedication to raising her family,

and her unwavering loyalty until death.

This route is filled with singing and dancing, making the emotions more intense.

If you choose the north route,

you'll follow the hero Hong Hao,

who remains loyal and steadfast despite being detained in the Jin Kingdom,

longing only to return home.

This route focuses more on storytelling and patriotism.

The first three acts are performed separately on the two routes,

and they merge in the fourth act so everyone sees the complete story.

For your first time watching, we recommend the south route—

the plot is easier to follow and the scenes are more spectacular.

Following Lady Shen, you'll first enter a sea of flowers.

As night falls,

the flowers glow dreamily under the lights.

Combined with a Mid-Autumn full moon set piece,

it creates a beautiful Jiangnan hometown atmosphere.

A giant full moon installation

hangs at the end of the flower field,

with the classic Jiangnan water town silhouette of Xixi Wetland in the distance.

Lady Shen waits for her husband under a persimmon tree with her son.

Her husband returns,

but he holds an imperial tally in his hand.

This tally represents a national mission and separation—

it's the emotional starting point of the entire south route.

Note that during the performance,

whenever a lantern-carrying girl appears, follow her quickly,

as it means you're about to move to the next scene.

After leaving the flower field,

the audience steps onto a long bridge as a Wupeng boat slowly glides over,

beginning the second act.

This is the most poetic visual scene in all of "Tonight in Xixi."

Light and shadow shift across the long bridge as a line of young women in traditional Song Dynasty attire appear.

Each holding an oil-paper umbrella,

they dance gracefully on the bridge. Their silhouettes reflect on the water,

blending the real and the imaginary.

The entire second act has no dialogue;

the visuals alone tell the story of Lady Shen's endless waiting.

Five years pass, the son grows weary,

but the mother stubbornly keeps waiting.

The third act of the south route

offers the greatest emotional contrast among the four scenes.

It moves the stage to the gate of Hong Mansion,

using lanterns, decorations, and song and dance to unfold a grand illusion.

Ten years have passed, and Hong Hao is finally coming home.

Lady Shen puts on her finest clothes

and stands at the gate, eagerly waiting.

Lanterns hang high at the mansion gate, guests are welcomed,

and warm lighting creates an atmosphere of impending reunion,

building the audience's anticipation to the max.

But it ends in disappointment once again.

When the finale arrives,

the north and south routes merge, and the audience can finally sit down.

But the moment you sit,

the stage rotates around you,

the water reflects another world,

and the story reaches its conclusion.

You don't need to turn your head

to find the actors—

the stage turns to face you,

placing you at the center of the story.

The first thing you see

isn't the leads, but a group of lotus fairies

in pale green dresses

dancing gracefully in the lotus pond.

Then, projections of a white deer

bring the story to its most tear-jerking part.

Lady Shen's image

is projected before the audience.

She has already passed away

and can only reunite with her returning husband in this ethereal way.

The couple's reunion is also their final farewell.

The whole scene is dreamlike and fleeting,

evoking the sorrow of eternal separation.

After the fourth act,

don't rush to leave.

Follow the crowd to the Jinxi Art Space

for smaller performances

where you can interact closely with the actors

and see scenes of war and rising beacon fires.

After the show,

the traditional Chinese-style market in the park is still open.

You can keep strolling,

play interactive games with NPCs,

complete their tasks, and earn tokens

to redeem for gifts in the park.

It's full of participation and experience.

This live-action drama, based on the true story of Hong Hao and Lady Shen,

uses a dreamy Jiangnan aesthetic

to showcase patriotism and romance.

Finally, it passes the beautiful wish of "may we live long and share tonight in Xixi"

to every visitor who watches the show.

It's both romantic and touching.

If you have time for a Xixi night tour,

don't miss this performance.

Perhaps after seeing Hangzhou's stories,

you'll love this city even more.