My family is visiting from the US and we decided to take advantage of the glorious December weather we’re enjoying and take a jaunt to Hangzhou. Less than two hours away from Shanghai by train, Hangzhou is a beautiful city famous for its West Lake, or Xi Hu. Marco Polo is said to have remarked that Hangzhou was the most beautiful city he’d ever seen in his life; and, while it is slightly more modern that it was when Polo visited in the late thirteenth century, it has retained some of its charm.
We booked through the Shangri-La Hangzhou, which had a hotel package with tickets to see Zhang Yimou’s Impression West Lake. Never heard of Zhang Yimou? Did you happen to catch the 2008 Olympics Opening Ceremony? Mr. Zhang is the one who did that little bit of coordination. Yes, expect a spectacle we did, and a spectacle we got. The show was like nothing we’d ever seen.
Staged entirely upon the lake itself (a stage has been built 3 centimeters below the surface), Impression West Lake is a spectacle of light, music, dance and theatrics. The story is based on a Hangzhou legend (somewhat lost on us foreigners, but that didn't detract from our enjoyment). Using the lake and its surroundings as props, lights and hundreds of actors create a sensational performance. Similar performances are staged in Yangshuo and Lijiang. Hangzhou’s Impression West Lake is certainly not to be missed.
Impression West Lake will take a short holiday over the cold months but check back as its sure to be on again in the spring. Hangzhou has plenty to offer in itself, but if you can add the performance into your itinerary, you’ll be forever grateful.
Photo: Impression West Lake, Hangzhou. © 2008 Sara Naumann, licensed to About.com.
It was the most amazing performance I have ever seen! To see so many performers moving across the water was breath taking. They ran, they danced, they did acrobatics. I feel blessed to have witnessed such a wonderful show. Hangzhou is beautiful. Impression West Lake is a show that you do not want to miss!
I am just back from a China trip and visited the city of Hangzhou and did see the West Lake night performance ‘Impression’, the most amazing and beautiful spectacle I have seen in my life…is a must for everyone, and the city is very nice.
I just saw the Impression Westlake performance, and I too find it breathtaking. The August night was uncomfortably hot and humid, but that didn’t stop me from appreciating the wonderful show.
I just saw the West Lake show early October 2010. A little bit chilly at night, but the show was amazingly beautiful. The music was beautiful. China never disappoints (although you need to get used to the culture).
Breathtaking show. Impressions of the west lake. We sat under the cold april rain during the whole show and that did not stop me from appreciating this wow show.
I just went to Hangzhou for a visit and I watched the show Impressions of West Lake, it was a November night with showers but the weather was warm at 20 C. The show was fantastic and it was staged on water of XiHu. I am very impressed with the beautiful music. It is a Must See for all tourists.