"Tang Palace Night Banquet" Puts Luoyang on the Map, but Yingtian Gate Attracts Controversy – Let Me Show You the Real Deal

Not long ago, the performance "Tang Palace Night Banquet" became a nationwide hit. A group of lively actresses portraying maids of the Tang palace vividly brought the charm of the Tang Dynasty to life. Many viewers were thrilled and called it brilliant, saying they couldn't get enough. On the night of the Lantern Festival, the actresses made a powerful return in response to popular demand, staging a real-life "time-travel" shoot against the magnificent backdrop of the Yingtian Gate. Those few minutes left endless room for imagination. I watched both shows, and the visual effect was truly stunning and refreshing. The Sui-Tang Luoyang City, after a long period of obscurity, once again became an internet sensation and grabbed plenty of attention. So how much fun is Luoyang? Let me tell you slowly. Before the Chinese New Year, I made a trip to Luoyang. It wasn’t my first visit. Years ago, back in 2016, I came during the Peony Flower Festival. Back then my focus was on admiring the flowers—the sight of "only the peony is the true beauty of the nation, in bloom it stirs the capital" remains unforgettable. The whole city was filled with blooming peonies, spring everywhere. Returning again in the midst of winter was not the best season for flowers and scenery. But as a thousand-year-old ancient capital, Luoyang’s historical depth is no joke. Coming for the Tang Dynasty's "Eastern Capital" turned out to be a rewarding trip. I used to know little about the Yingtian Gate, which hadn’t yet been built into a site museum back then. This time I made sure not to miss this new attraction. The Yingtian Gate Site Museum officially opened in autumn 2019, and a little over a year later I stood before its magnificent structure. With a conservation project costing over 300 million yuan, what is its real value? After this Luoyang trip, I finally understand. Amid the praise during the Spring Festival for Luoyang’s enhanced cultural promotion, some discordant voices began to emerge... Even harsher words were said, extending the "battle" to the people of Luoyang, labeling them as "fakes." Cultural confidence itself is a blessing for a nation. Promoting local attractions and culture with creativity and ideas to boost tourism is naturally a good thing. To understand whether today's Yingtian Gate is really just a fancy concrete structure, you have to go inside and see for yourself. The Yingtian Gate was first built in 605 AD. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he built the eastern capital Luoyang, and the palace city Ziwei City was completed on schedule. Originally named "Zetian Gate," it was the main south gate of Ziwei City. Later, to avoid the taboo of Empress Wu Zetian's name, it was renamed "Yingtian." The Ziwei Palace was extremely luxurious, and the status of its gate naturally followed. Until its destruction at the end of the Northern Song Dynasty, the Yingtian Gate had the highest specifications, earning the reputation of "the number one gate under heaven." Whether it was Ziwei City that made Luoyang famous, or Luoyang that made Ziwei City successful, the historical intertwining is hard to judge. We can no longer know exactly what the Yingtian Gate looked like during the Sui and Tang dynasties. But as a traveler, facing such a colossal structure standing in the city, one can't help but be amazed. Such an imposing building is absolutely unforgettable. "Viewed from different distances and heights, each angle offers something fresh." The ticket price for the Yingtian Gate Site Museum is 30 yuan, which is really not expensive considering its value. It stays open until 9:30 p.m. After buying a ticket, you enter through the south gate ticket checkpoint. I chose to visit at night because the atmosphere is better, and with the lighting, the night view of the Yingtian Gate is particularly beautiful. A full moon hung perfectly above, giving it a grand yet gentle feel. Upon entering, the first thing that catches your eye is an introductory hall. The lighting and exhibition setup in the scenic area are truly outstanding. The scenes are lavishly decorated, making it highly photogenic. There are also photos documenting the grand spectacle of the Yingtian Gate, all beautifully taken. It turns out that since the Mid-Autumn Festival gala held there the year it officially opened, the Yingtian Gate has entered the public eye. With the boost from the autumn gala and the big IP of the "Sui-Tang Eastern Capital," it’s no wonder the Yingtian Gate became popular. The mural titled "Tianjie Xiaoyu" (Light Rain on Heavenly Street) was entirely hand-painted, which was no small undertaking. "Rain nourishes the divine capital, everything is renewed." The mural depicts the prosperous appearance of Luoyang in those days. From the grand houses and towers to every character on the street, it is lifelike and highly realistic. A glimpse of the glorious Tang Dynasty can be seen. Then there is the 50-meter-long "Yingtian Changge" (Song of Yingtian), which strings together major events within the Luoyang palace city. Each piece is a delightful artwork. Although no historical artifacts are displayed in the introductory hall, it still leaves a lasting impression. The cleverly arranged decorations and the meticulously painted murals tell stories of a bygone time to visitors from afar. Many people see only the shell of the Yingtian Gate but miss its true essence. Passing through the introductory hall, there are site excavation layers on both sides—this is the most essential part of the museum. Those who loudly criticize the Yingtian Gate as neither fish nor fowl, a modern building draped in Tang-style clothing, I think they have completely forgotten the original purpose of this scenic area. The original Yingtian Gate was destroyed at the end of the Northern Song Dynasty. More than a thousand years have passed; there was no need to rebuild it. What we see today is precisely the Yingtian Gate Site Museum. Compared to the original Yingtian Gate, its positioning and function have changed completely. In the past, the Yingtian Gate was the gate of majesty for Luoyang's palace city; today's Yingtian Gate is a cultural gate for protecting history and promoting knowledge. If we must find common ground, both are landmarks and symbols of hope for Luoyang. Erecting a protective shell over the original site allows these gate ruins to be preserved for a longer time, enabling people to discover them, understand them, and thus develop an interest in history and even the entire Luoyang. This is an act of immense merit—so why does it attract criticism? Going further up, you reach the second-floor observation platform, and the view suddenly opens up. The Yingtian Gate in front appears even more majestic. Without a word, I took photos first. This site conservation project is not only beautiful but also a masterpiece of architectural craftsmanship. In the latest annual "Luban Award" winners, the Yingtian Gate made the list. The Luban Award is officially recognized, representing the highest quality in China's construction industry and a key marker of excellent engineering. Thus, today's magnificent Yingtian Gate is not a shoddy product but a work of art that can stand on stage and stand the test. Leaning on the railing and looking into the distance, two important halls that once stood in Ziwei City are also very prominent. The Heaven Hall and the Bright Hall are also part of the Sui-Tang Luoyang City Ruins Park, but these two attractions charge separate admission, and the tickets are not cheap, so I did not buy tickets to visit them. For me, keeping curiosity, leaving some regrets, and gaining what I wanted to know was enough. In the future, if I return to Luoyang and develop new interests, I might still buy tickets and visit them. Having paid for the entrance, of course I wouldn’t miss any exhibition hall. With poetic scenery and an antique interactive experience area, as a museum, it is quite qualified. All in all, this trip inside the Yingtian Gate exceeded my expectations. Time passes, and little has been preserved from the wheels of history, making it all the more precious. If you are also interested in history, the Yingtian Gate Site Museum can be your first stop for an in-depth understanding of Sui-Tang Luoyang City. I am Thornless Hedgehog, a self-media enthusiast who loves traveling and life. 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