China’s Qi County Brings Ancient Zhaoge To Life At Night

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- The ancient capital of Zhaoge comes alive with a vibrant nighttime tourism scene as dusk falls over the mountains surrounding Qi County, combining 3,000-year-old history with modern entertainment.

Known in ancient times as Zhaoge, the county in Central China’s Henan Province was a capital of the Shang Dynasty. During this year’s National Day holiday, it has rolled out a series of nighttime cultural activities rooted in Yin-Shang heritage.

Zhaoge Old Street hosts the "Scenes at Every Step" carnival featuring acrobatics, traditional Chinese dance, retro band performances and mythology-themed challenge games, alongside nightly performances of "Grand Shang Zhaoge" and mass parades that showcase the ancient capital's former prosperity and grandeur.

The programme also features the water-based live performance "Meiyi Zhaoge", staged nightly at the Mei River Covered Bridge. Against a backdrop of shimmering water and night sky, dancers and lighting effects bring to life legends associated with the Shang era, including the birth of the divine black bird and Emperor Xin’s eastern campaigns.

Meanwhile, at Zhaixingtai, another site associated with Shang history, performers suspended above the ground take part in Fairy Scattering Flowers. Flowing costumes, lanterns and falling flower petals create a nighttime spectacle for visitors.

According to a statement, visitors looking for an engaging evening can also stop at a concert beside the river’s covered bridge, where the programme includes choral singing, instrumental performances and band performances, with opportunities for tourists to join in.

During the National Day holiday, Qi County’s cultural and tourism authorities have launched free tourist shuttle buses linking scenic spots in town. Tourists can experience the unique charm of nighttime Zhaoge in one convenient trip.

Together, the shows, street activities and concerts are part of Qi County's effort to turn its historical sites into places where tourists can spend an evening, unlocking new potential for cultural tourism in this ancient capital.

-- BERNAMA