If you come to Hangzhou

and haven't seen "Tonight at Xixi"

at Xixi Wetland,

you'll definitely regret it.

It's not just a performance—

it's a time-travel journey walking through Song dynasty poetry.

Follow this travel guide

as we step into this

emotional journey together.

"Tonight at Xixi"

tells the story of Hong Hao,

Minister of Rites in the Southern Song Dynasty,

who was sent as an envoy to the Jin state

and detained for 15 years,

while his wife Madam Shen

waited at home until she died—

a tale of patriotism and devoted love.

What makes this performance special is that

it's divided into two routes.

The south route is from the heroine's perspective.

Following Madam Shen,

you see her day-after-day waiting

and her unwavering devotion

to raising her family.

If you choose the north route,

you'll follow the hero Hong Hao's journey

of remaining loyal and determined to return home

despite being detained in the Jin state.

For your first time watching,

we recommend the south route—

the plot is easier to follow

and the scenes are more spectacular.

Following Madam Shen,

you first enter a sea of flowers.

As night falls,

the flowers glow dreamily under the lights,

and combined with the Mid-Autumn full moon set design,

it creates a beautiful atmosphere

of a Jiangnan hometown.

Madam Shen waits for her husband under a tree with her son.

When he returns,

he holds an envoy's staff—

this is where the emotion of the entire south route begins.

After leaving the flower sea,

the audience moves to the long bridge.

A Wupeng boat slowly approaches,

and a row of young women in traditional Song dynasty attire appear,

each holding an oil-paper umbrella,

dancing gracefully on the bridge.

Their silhouettes reflect beautifully

on the water below.

The third act of the south route

moves the stage to

the gate of the Hong Mansion,

using lanterns, decorations, and song and dance

to create a grand illusion.

Lanterns hang high at the mansion gate,

guests are welcomed,

and warm lighting builds

an atmosphere of imminent reunion,

raising the audience's expectations to the max—

only to end in disappointment

once again.

When the finale arrives,

the first thing you see isn't the main characters

but a group of lotus fairies

in pale green dresses

dancing gracefully in the lotus pond.

Then, projections of white dew

bring the story to its most tear-jerking part.

Madam 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 actually a final farewell.

The entire scene is dreamlike

and fleeting.

This performance

uses a dreamy Jiangnan aesthetic scroll

to pass on the beautiful wish of

"May we live long, and share tonight at Xixi"

to every visitor

who watches it.

It's romantic and touching.

If you have time

during your Xixi Wetland night tour,

you absolutely must not miss this show.

Perhaps after experiencing this Hangzhou story,

you'll love this city even more.