World Largest Natural Theater

I still remember watching Les Miserables in Singapore back in 1996. I was completely enthralled by the seamless stage transitions, dazzling lights, and powerful sound effects. It felt like a benchmark of theatrical excellence.

But then the Chinese took theater a giant step further by creating the world’s largest natural open-air theater in Yangshuo (陽朔), Guilin, specially built for the breathtaking performance of Impression Sanjie Liu. Unlike any traditional stage, this theater uses the Li River itself as its platform, framed by twelve mist-shrouded karst hills and the night sky. Mist, rain, moonlight, and the shimmering reflections on the river all merge into an ever-changing backdrop crafted entirely by nature.

The audience sits on terraces built across the river’s natural islands, surrounded by lush plants and vegetation. The valleys, the gentle hills, the flowing streams, and the cool evening breeze are all part of the immersive experience, blending with advanced lighting and sound to create a multi-dimensional spectacle. Even the changing seasons and shifting weather conditions bring their own unique effects, ensuring no two performances are ever quite the same.

The scale is equally impressive: the theater seats 3,700 spectators, with two shows staged nightly - an astonishing 7,400 visitors during peak seasons.

Behind this mega-production is none other than Zhang Yimou, the renowned choreographer and director best known for orchestrating the unforgettable opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 

According to our tour guide, in the show’s early days, there was a rather controversial performance - one of the dancers appeared unclothed while “dancing on the moon.” This gimmick caused an unprecedented spike in binocular sales among local shops, but it also stirred discomfort among locals who found it culturally inappropriate. More critically, the distraction proved dangerous: boatmen, tasked with maneuvering in precise formations on the river, were so captivated that some missed their cues, lost balance, and even toppled into the water - one nearly drowning in the process! Unsurprisingly, that particular element was later removed.

Today, thanks to this spectacular creation, Yangshuo has become world-renowned. Impression Sanjie Liu is more than just a performance - it’s a fusion of nature, culture, and artistry that leaves audiences spellbound. Truly, this is a must-see if you ever find yourself in Yangshuo.