Ice and fire play promotes winter tourism in Xi’an

The 2024 production of the Song of Everlasting Regret made its debut in Huaqing Palace at the foot of Lishan Mountain in Lintong district, Xi'an, in Northwest China's Shaanxi province on Sunday.

The event attracted more than 1,000 fans to experience the unique romance of northern winter tourism and the innovative vitality of the cultural tourism market in the Tang Palace, which was covered in frost and snow, with icicles hanging from roofs.

Since its release in the winter of 2021, Ice and Fire's Song of Everlasting Regret has ingeniously integrated historical stories, stage performances and modern technology, allowing audiences to travel through time and space to experience firsthand the grand scene of Emperor Xuanzong (r.713-56) seeking refuge from the cold at Huaqing Palace.

According to Xue Leikai, the artistic director of Song of Everlasting Regret, the 2024 production of the performance has undergone innovative improvements in costumes, props, sound system, stage design, lasers and lighting. Notably, the effect of ice and snow on the stage has been enhanced, combined with the lighting of the entire Huaqing Palace complex. This creates an immersive experience for viewers, allowing them to enjoy the romantic beauty of winter in Song of Everlasting Regret, with its clear ice and snow, while also capturing the grandeur of the prosperous era.

In the next three months of performances, they will overcome the cold and uphold the artistic concept of striving for excellence, allowing global tourists to experience the cultural and artistic charm of Ice and Fire's Song of Everlasting Regret, Xue said. On Sunday evening, 10 Lucky Air passengers arrived at the scene and, along with a thousand spectators, traveled through the prosperous Tang Dynasty in winter.

To give the drama an international touch, the Huaqing Palace scenic area has specially recruited a group of talented Central Asian actors to perform this year. They have already gained the audience’s admiration for their wonderful performances in the classic version of Song of Everlasting Regret. The actors also appeared in the premiere ceremony of Ice and Fire's Song of Everlasting Regret.

According to Gao Jie, secretary of the Communist Party Committee and chairman of Shaanxi Huaqing Palace Cultural Tourism Co, taking in scenery during the day and attending dramas at night has become a new trend in cultural and tourism consumption. The Huaqing Palace scenic area and the performance of Song of Everlasting Regret have become a must-visit route for tourists in Xi'an.

“We will leverage the profound artistic charm of Tang culture, constantly innovate with new elements, ensure that Song of Everlasting Regret remains fresh and continually performed, transform tourism traffic into lasting cultural and tourism consumption, and use performing arts to build a bridge for multicultural communication worldwide”, Gao said.