Impression West Lake

🌊Brief Introduction

Staged directly upon the rippling water of West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Impression West Lake (Enduring Memories of Hangzhou) is a spectacular open-air live-show directed by Zhang Yimou, chief director of the Beijing Olympic ceremonies. It originated as the grand G20 Summit evening gala for world leaders in 2016, and has been adapted for regular public performances ever since.

With the real-life mountains, moonlit sky and lake surface as its natural backdrop, dancers perform on hidden floating platforms just beneath the water surface. Brilliant lighting, holographic projections, mist effects and surround-sound weave together Chinese folk legends, classical music, traditional dance and cross-cultural art. The whole show lasts about 50–60 minutes, creating a dream-like poetic night-time immersion for international visitors. Venue is opposite Yue Fei Temple on Beishan Road, Hangzhou.

🎭Program List (Full Show Acts)

1. Spring River, Moonlit Night — Opening with ancient Chinese classic melody, moon boats glide across the lake to set the poetic mood.
2. Tea-Picking Dance — Graceful dance depicting local tea-farm girls in Zhejiang's tea-plantations.
3. Butterfly Lovers (Liang-Zhu) — China's timeless tragic love legend, highlighted by the giant unfolding folding-fan stage prop.
4. High-Mountain and Flowing-Water — Gu-zheng & cello duet of the famous Chinese zither masterpiece.
5. Swan Lake — Holographic ballet performed on the real lake surface, blending western ballet with oriental waterscape.
6. My Motherland and I — Vocal chorus performance with dream-like lighting scenes.
7. Colourful Clouds Chasing the Moon — Melodic piece blended with Yue-opera romance excerpt.
8. Unforgettable Jasmine Flower — World-famous Chinese folk song with glowing water-light installation.
9. Ode to Joy — Grand ensemble performance with hundreds of performers.
10. Epilogue: Enduring Memories of Hangzhou — The signature closing theme of the gala.

✨Highlights

🌟 G20 Summit Heritage Show

Retains over 70% of the original G20-gala stage effects, including the iconic huge luminous folding-fan rising out of water, one of the most photographed moments of the whole performance.

🌊 100% Real-Water Natural Stage

Dancers tread on hidden floating platforms on actual West Lake water. Mountain silhouettes, night mist and moon glow act as natural sets; no artificial studio background can replicate this atmosphere.

🎭 East-Meets-West Artistic Fusion

Classical Chinese folk music, zither, Yue-opera meet western ballet, symphony and holographic projection. Swan Lake performed upon a real lake is a unique one-of-a-kind visual treat.

👃 Multi-Sensory Immersive Experience

VIP seats are equipped with synced scent-diffuser system: guests can smell Longjing tea fragrance and jasmine aroma matching different scenes of the performance, adding smell to sight and sound.

🌃 Open-Air Night Experience

Perfect evening activity for your Hangzhou itinerary. After the show, you may take a relaxing lakeside stroll around West Lake.

💺Seat Categories & Seating Note

Seating map reference: The stage lies in front; audience stands are tiered and elevated facing directly toward the lake stage.

🎫Booking Notice