The Song of Everlasting Sorrow长恨歌
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow is a live-action historical dance drama performed inside the Huaqing Pool scenic area, with Mount Li as its backdrop and the lake as its stage, retelling the legendary love story of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Consort Yang. Created by a renowned director and backed by stunning lighting and sound, it is the top pick for a night out in Xi'an.
Xi'an · Visitor Guide2026-10-18
Quick Answer
Is The Song of Everlasting Sorrow worth visiting?
A large-scale outdoor drama staged on the lake at Huaqing Pool, retelling the romance of Emperor Xuanzong and Consort Yang. Tickets CNY 188-588. A visual feast that is well worth watching.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Show tickets CNY 188-588 (price varies by seating section); book at least 3 days ahead |
|---|---|
| Hours | The show runs about 70 minutes, usually 20:30-21:40 (times shift slightly between peak and low season) |
| Recommended duration | The show is 70 minutes; allow about 2 hours with entry and seating |
| Best time to visit | April-October is the season; performances pause or move to an indoor version in winter |
| How to get there | Same as Huaqing Pool — Metro Line 9 to Huaqing Pool station Exit C, or bus You 5 to Huaqing Palace |
| English signage | Partial |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Venue | Furong Lake, Huaqing Pool |
| Director | An acclaimed director (previously staged the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony) |
| Running time | About 70 minutes |
| Scale | 300 performers |
| Awards | Most Influential Performance, China Tourism Gold List |
| Debut | 2007 |
What to expect
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow is an outdoor dance drama adapted from Bai Juyi's poem of the same name, staged on the water of Furong Lake at Huaqing Pool. With Mount Li looming behind and the lake as the stage, it uses scenery, lighting, mist and special effects to conjure the glory of high Tang and the love legend of Emperor Xuanzong and Consort Yang.
The show unfolds in nine acts, following the poem's lines from Yang Guifei's entry into the palace, through the mutiny at Mawei, to the emperor's grief. The staging is grand, the cast numbers in the hundreds, and fountains, water curtains and flames punctuate the choreography — the visual impact is genuinely stunning.
In the low season the show may pause or be replaced by the indoor version, Xuanjing Changshengdian — confirm before you set out. Bring a coat for cool nights. Buy seats in the central section for the best sightlines, and arrive 90 minutes early to claim a good spot before the crowds.
How to get there
Reach it the same way as Huaqing Pool. Take Metro Line 9 to Huaqing Pool station Exit C, then a 5-minute walk.
Best photo spots
- Act three, The Lychees Arrive (the most stunning visuals of the night)
- Act seven, Mawei Slope, with its pyrotechnics
- The stars over Mount Li as the show ends, framed against the lit-up landscape
- Furong Lake reflections before showtime, with Huaqing Palace lit at night
Tips
- Tickets are hot property — book well ahead
- Bring your own jacket; lakeside nights are cold
- Enter 90 minutes early to pick your spot (the central section is best)
- Photography and video are banned during the performance
Scams to avoid
- Beyond official ticketing there are no authorized resellers — watch for fakes
- Scalpers outside the gate mostly sell counterfeits or inflated prices
Frequently asked questions
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow or Dream Back to the Tang — which is better?
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow is staged outdoors with more staggering scenery; Dream Back to the Tang is an indoor show with richer content. Different styles — both are worth seeing.
Do I still need a Huaqing Pool admission ticket?
No. The show ticket already includes entry to the Huaqing Pool scenic area.
Does the show go on in the rain?
Light rain usually does not stop the performance — the venue has a rain plan. Heavy rain or snow may cancel it; check the scenic area's notices.
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One of the 108 warded quarters of Tang Chang'an, now an archaeological park where ordinary Tang residents lived and traded; new exhibit areas opened in 2023.
Banpo Neolithic Museum
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Banpo Museum
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Beilin Museum
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Xi'an City Wall
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Da Ci'en Temple
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Drum Tower
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Xi'an Beilin Museum (Forest of Steles)
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Huaqing Pool
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Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Warriors)
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Shaanxi History Museum
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Shaanxi History Museum — Qin-Han Branch
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Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum
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Terracotta Army Museum (Museum of the Terracotta Army and Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang)
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Yongle Palace Museum (Yongle Gong)
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