Impression West Lake

Overview
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 foreigners, but that does not detract from 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.

It is a unique outdoor performance on natural settings. Staged on the West Lake, the performance appears vivid and incredibly beautiful. Mixed with the myths and legends of the West Lake, the show leads you to a sweet thousand-year dream. The special concealable auditorium ensures each seat a wonderful place to enjoy the dazzling show. The state-of-the-art sound system is surely to offer a surprising musical enjoyment. Be sure to catch it, the show is a must-see when you come to Hangzhou. Come and enjoy the most amazing and beautiful spectacle you will see in your life.

The director of this show is Mr Zhang Yimou, who was in charge of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. This performance is co-directed by Wang Chaoge and Fan Yue. The music is composed by Mr Kitaro and the song is from Ms Zhang Liangyin. Although the whole perfomance is a five-act play, i.e., encounter, fall in love,say goodbye, memory, and impression, in performance there is not necessarily any clear separation between them.

Act one: Encounter 
Act I: A white crane became a young smart guy in the lake while another white crane was coming and evolved into a pretty girl. They fell in love at the first sight and enjoyed everything. However, their love token was an “umbrella”, whose pronunciation was the same as “departure” in Chinese.

Act two: Fall in love

Act II: The fish in the West Lake were full of spirit! All the fish played and chasing each other in the lake of love. In the boat, pretty girls and boys in traditional Chinese costumes were singing and dancing freely.

Act three: Say goodbye
Act III: The happy time was not enduring; roar of the drums indicated that the suffering was about to come. All of a sudden, the beautiful girl envolved from crane was dead and the boy was so sad…  Perhaps, where there was love, there was sadness.

Act four: Memory
Act IV: When the heart-broken young man came back to the place where they first met, the pretty girl was not there despite the unchanged surroundings.  Subsequently, the handsome man met other girls but could not forget the girl he loved…

Act five: Impression
Act V: Just like the lake, beautiful and elegant, all the legendary stories were vivid again. Yes, man is mortal, however, the love between the boy and the girl never die, just faded away! What a beautiful impression, what a perfect night!

Venue
82 Beishan Road, opposite to Yuefei Temple and Shangri-la Hotel, Hangzhou

Stage is entirely on the Yuehu Lake, which is a natural part of West Lake

Creative Team 
Music: Kitaro
Song: Zhang Liangyin
Director: Zhang Yimou, Wang Chaoge, Fan Yue