Night Tour of Hangzhou Songcheng: A Summer Extravaganza with Trendy Performances

📍 Hangzhou · 👁 7 reads · ❤️ 2 likes

You ask me what Jiangnan looks like?

Perhaps it's the serene, picturesque stone alleys under blue bricks and tiles, the misty drizzle veiling little bridges and flowing streams by horse-head walls, and girls as delicate as celadon gently waving banana-leaf fans on early summer evenings, lazily dozing off on painted boats while listening to the rain—a scene of indescribable grace and charm.

Hangzhou in summer unfolds like a scroll of lingering cultural landscape, tinged with the gentle melancholy of rain. Despite living in Hangzhou for years, I'd never visited Songcheng. Many say that coming to Hangzhou without seeing Songcheng is like visiting Beijing without seeing Tiananmen! The vivid, life-like recreation of 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' and the array of spectacular shows always captivate travelers. I heard Songcheng has now launched a trendy night tour—why not go explore?

**Songcheng Ancient Streets: A Real-Life 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival'**

Once inside with your ticket, a bustling scene greets you. The park features six themed districts: Songhe East Street, Tuhao Family, Yanzhi Alley, Feilai Alley, Food Street, and Shijing Street—all lively and colorful. The design is said to be inspired by the famous Northern Song painter Zhang Zeduan's scroll 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival,' as if an ancient city were lifted straight from the painting. Every street, building, corner, and lane brims with quaint shops and artisan workshops, their rustic charm unfolding before your eyes. Pavilions, terraces, and inns stand everywhere; jewelry and handicrafts are displayed in endless array; the cries of vendors and melodies of string and bamboo instruments fill the air.

Strolling through the park, an old-world town atmosphere envelops you. In a trance, everyone becomes part of life during the Song Dynasty, transported back to the leisurely, prosperous era captured in the painting. Suddenly, those ancient stories, memories, and bygone days come vividly alive.

**[Flash-Mob Street Parades]**

In Songcheng, visitors and staff dressed in ancient costumes can be seen everywhere. Walking along the streets, you might unexpectedly encounter a handsome scholar or a beautiful lady, as if stepping through time. Not wearing a period costume almost makes you the odd one out! Don't miss a photo with the giant dinosaur, haha.

Look closely by the streets and you'll spot servants, lords, and ladies in period attire wandering about, as if you've accidentally wandered onto a historical movie set. If you're lucky, you might catch the 'embroidery ball tossing' marriage event—a classic folk activity in Songcheng. Legend has it the emperor learned that the three daughters of Squire Wang were already 16 and still unmarried, so he bestowed a tribute embroidery ball and allowed a colorful tower to be built for throwing the ball to find a son-in-law. The guest who successfully catches the ball can go on stage to interact with the beautiful young lady and even perform the bowing ceremony. If you miss the ball, don't worry—wait a moment and they'll scatter wedding candies for everyone!

**[Water-Splashing Carnival]**

To cool off in summer, the water-splashing carnival is the top choice. How can you enjoy summer without water? Immersing yourself in the world of water on a scorching day brings instant refreshment—nothing feels better. Around the Songcheng blocks, you might stumble upon a massive water-splashing party, accompanied by energetic music, with cool water raining down from above. A 'wet-body battle' is about to erupt, so stay alert for 'ambushes' from your friends and 'friendly' attacks from strangers.

Or join the Guozhuang carnival, hold hands, and dance wildly to your heart's content. You can also take part in the immersive show 'Shangganling,' which makes you feel the shelling, bombing, and smoke of war firsthand. Near the haunted house, experience a thrilling spooky carnival—the 'Monster Street' is said to be built according to a dream of Emperor Gaozong of Song, Zhao Gou, and every room on this street witnesses strange happenings. Or challenge others on the water and show off your light-footed skills; each visitor uses their own tricks to cross the river. Whether you earn applause depends on your aquatic talents.

The diverse wonders of Songcheng can only be known when you come.

**Songcheng Eternal Love: Give Me a Day, Return a Millennium**

Many say this is a must-see performance in a lifetime, with each 'Eternal Love' show being a city's cultural legend. Songcheng Eternal Love is the soul of Hangzhou Songcheng. You simply must watch it when you're in Hangzhou! It is ranked among the 'World's Three Great Shows,' alongside the 'O' show in Las Vegas and the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

Rooted in Hangzhou's historical tales, myths, and legends, Songcheng Eternal Love blends world-class dance, acrobatics, and state-of-the-art sound, lighting, electrical effects, and stage machinery. It merges landscape with music, presenting a series of millennia-spanning epic performances in surprising ways. Journeying through time, you'll experience the richness of Songcheng culture: whether it's the impassioned heroism of Yue Fei resisting the Jin troops, the scenic beauty of West Lake, or touching legends of eternal love, it's all a visual and emotional feast.

Watching one show, reading one city—familiar historical figures like Yue Fei, Lady White Snake, Xu Xian, Liang Shanbo, Zhu Yingtai, and many more appear. From the hardship of Liangzhu ancestors, the splendor of the Song imperial palace, the roaring cannon fire of Yue's army battling Jin soldiers, to the meeting on Broken Bridge at West Lake's shore, the butterfly metamorphosis of the Butterfly Lovers, and countless other timeless classics—all immerse you in the vast, majestic historical tapestry of the ancient Song Dynasty.

Graceful dance, light footsteps, they unfold refreshing yet moving stories of Songcheng. A thousand years in one act, myriad charms are revealed. Lively rhythms, gentle music, beautiful movements, and rapt audiences—on stage and off, performer and viewer merge into one, hearts deeply immersed.

**[Light of Liangzhu]**

The prologue 'Light of Liangzhu' introduces the Liangzhu culture that carries Chinese civilization—the prelude and first dawn of ancient Eastern longevity.

**[Song Palace Banquet Dance]**

'Song Palace Banquet Dance' unfolds the prosperous Southern Song Dynasty like wisps of smoke. Southern Song is said to be the peak of Chinese feudal economy, all around music and strings, a scene of singing and dancing in peace. In the golden, resplendent Southern Song court, the graceful song and dance of court ladies were exceptionally gorgeous and exquisite—impossible to look away.

**[Armor and War Horses]**

Hangzhou's prosperity stirred the emperor of the northern Jin Kingdom, setting off mighty waves of national war. The passionate anti-Jin general Yue Fei, fighting bravely yet dying on the battlefield with unfulfilled ambition—a story full of heroic spirit and epic grandeur. Scene after scene of galloping through cannon fire, bloody battles, are simply breathtaking.

**[Legend of West Lake]**

In 'Legend of West Lake,' the West Lake, 'beautiful whether lightly made up or richly adorned,' earns Hangzhou the repute of 'paradise on earth.' Hangzhou in spring rain as wine and willows like mist holds not only the romantic tale of Lady White Snake and Xu Xian, but also vividly portrays the poignant legend of the Butterfly Lovers. The final lighting effect of their transformation into butterflies pushes the audience's emotions to a climax.

**[Charming Hangzhou]**

In 'Charming Hangzhou,' whether it's fresh, unadorned tea-picking maidens, or West Lake women holding paper umbrellas and strolling along small bridges and lanes, they all warmly present fragrant Longjing tea with graceful dance and light steps, welcoming friends from everywhere.

One by one, enchanting and misty legends, soul-stirring tragic tales, grand-scale palace celebrations, and exuberantly joyous scenes of prosperity vividly interpret Hangzhou's history and humanity, fully expressing the Jiangnan-style charm that defines Hangzhou.

**Trendy Night Tour: Ultra-Cool Shows for Nonstop Fun**

As night falls, Songcheng looks completely different from the daytime. Every street and alley buzzes with a rich, down-to-earth atmosphere, as if you can travel back in time to the Song Dynasty overnight. Recently, Songcheng's trendy night tour has begun—a collision of modern fashion and ancient art. In addition to the exhilarating water-splashing and various flash-mob shows, there are nostalgic dramas like 'Katyusha,' holographic show 'Phantom,' family show 'WA, Dinosaurs,' 5D live-action drama 'The Great Earthquake,' all stunningly presented. Plus, lively and beautiful fantasy light shows, Hawaiian-style shows, and container concerts. Come and frolic in Songcheng!

A fantastic light show kicks off, bringing a cool visual feast right before you, and the night tour carnival begins. Spacemen, hula dances, and a series of creative, mind-blowing visual spectacles unfold. There's also a super-stylish mirror dance that electrifies the crowd, cool mechanical movements, and ultra-exciting fast-paced music—every moment keeps the energy sky-high.

**[Container Concert]**

When you come to the Songcheng night tour, don't miss the trendy pink large container cluster. Bubbles float in the air, creating a dreamy scene that will satisfy all your girlish whimsy. The young lady's unique smoky voice and the young man's heartfelt performances, passionate music always turns your summer moments into an all-out party! After a few songs, a distinctive Hawaiian-style show unfolds—barbecue, beer, grass skirts, beauties—bringing you authentic Hawaiian tropical vibes.

Of course, there's another cool way to beat the heat in summer: watching shows. Besides the signature 'Songcheng Eternal Love,' the Songcheng theme park offers four other mind-blowing shows that will leave you dazzled!

Equally stunning is the 5D live-action drama 'The Great Earthquake,' created in memory of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Mountains crumble, but true love endures. The 35-minute production uses 5D high-tech to recreate the devastating scenes of the Wenchuan earthquake and the boundless love of the Chinese nation in disaster relief, emotionally telling the stories of that time. Mountains splitting, buildings collapsing, the entire theater and thousands of seats shaking violently, tons of floodwater gushing down... The live effects make you feel right there, and the moving performance tugs at your heartstrings even more. At the end, audiences use their phone lights to form a starry sky, illuminating the entire theater—a scene that still brings tears to my eyes.

It's worth mentioning that this is a stage play that recruits visitors as actors on the spot. If you feel the earlier grand shows didn't allow enough participation, here's your chance to step up and fulfill your acting dream.

**[WA, Dinosaurs]**

Want to travel back to the Jurassic and get up close with ancient dinosaurs? Then come to the family show 'WA, Dinosaurs'! Using 3D mapping technology combined with large-scale machinery, it creates a magical spectacle of resurrected dinosaurs, bringing a wild, astonishing prehistoric world right before your eyes.

The classic nostalgic drama 'Katyusha,' steeped in wartime tragic love and patriotic duty, opens epic chapters from a unique perspective. Classic Russian dance and the flames of battlefield smoke seem to transport you back to that fervent era, letting you experience the thrilling war years.

A holographic show 'Phantom' reinterprets the touching White Snake legend, inviting you to break the boundaries of time and space and embark on a dreamlike, surreal journey together with the characters in the show.

**Your Songcheng Guide is Here**

1. **Address:** No. 148, Zhijiang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou

2. **Tickets:** Night tour tickets from 50 RMB; Scenic area + VIP seats for 'Songcheng' from 300 RMB

3. **Opening Hours:** 10:30–22:00 (Night tour entry after 18:00)

4. **Accommodation Recommendation:** When visiting Songcheng, of course I recommend staying at the nearby Songcheng Eternal Love Hotel. Located right at the entrance of the scenic area, it's just a 3-minute walk. The hotel lobby is spacious and bright, themed around Jiuzhai culture, with colorful prayer flags fluttering overhead—pure and elegant with a Tibetan touch. The rooms are well-equipped, featuring antique-style design with Tibetan-style decorations, making your stay extra charming.

5. **Other Info:**

- Songcheng now offers night tour tickets. With a 50 RMB night ticket, you can unlock Songcheng (excluding the Eternal Love show) and choose one of four other shows: 'Katyusha,' 'WA, Dinosaurs,' 'Phantom,' or 'The Great Earthquake'!

- **Parking:** Hangzhou Songcheng parking fees: 30 RMB per car (free for the first 15 minutes), an additional 30 RMB after 24 hours.

- **Stroller Rental:** The visitor service center provides stroller rental from 09:00 until park closing (Monday–Sunday). Cost: 30 RMB per stroller per day, with a 500 RMB deposit or ID card required.

- **Restrooms:** Multiple restrooms are available, with clear signs near the ticket hall, entrance, theater, etc.

- **Nursing Room:** There is a free baby care center within the scenic area for feeding, caring for babies, changing diapers, etc.

6. **How to Get There:**

- From the city center: Take Fuxing Road, Hupao Road, Meiling South Road, or Qiantang River No.1 Bridge (Qiantang River Bridge) → Zhijiang Road → towards Zhuantang.

- From other directions: Take Hangzhou Ring Expressway → Zhijiang Road → towards Zhuantang.

- By bus: Take bus 121, 190, 308, 318, 354, 4, 510, 1400, 287, 287 (branch), night bus 202 and alight at 'Songcheng Station'.

- Holiday Bus 2 line to 'Songcheng Station'.

- Bus 334 to 'South of Ganchang Bridge (Songcheng Station)'.

- Bus 103, 324 to 'North of Ganchang Bridge (Songcheng Station)'.

- Bus 1403 to 'Wupu Bridge Station'.

7. **Recommended Itinerary Highlights:**

- 14:00–15:00: 'Songcheng Eternal Love' – a must-see in a lifetime.

- 15:00–15:15: 'Street Parade' – meet you around the corner.

- 15:05–15:15: 'Guozhuang' – join hands and revel.

- 15:30–16:05: 'The Great Earthquake' – 5D live-action drama.

- 16:30–16:37: 'Embroidery Ball Tossing' – fancy becoming a Songcheng son-in-law?