Travelogue China Yunnan | Impression of Lijiang and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yuelong Xueshan)
 

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China Yunnan | Impression of Lijiang and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yuelong Xueshan)
Written by Grace   
Thursday, 08 October 2009 07:31
The next morning, we left early after breakfast, as early as 8am as we didn’t want to miss Impression of Lijiang show at 9 am.
Zhang Yimou is one of the directors for Impression of Lijiang performance
On the way to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, we stopped by at a shop with rental service for winter jacket and to get some oxygen kits. We purchased the aerosol can (spray type) with the inhaler capping, cost us about 60 yuan. This is supposed to give us 30-40 spray. We were shown ways to use - first, fix the inhaler cap to the noozle, then place it to user, covering nose and mouth. Then, spray once or twice, follow by deep but slow inhalation and repeat if necessary.
Oxygen kits, available in aerosol can form, big one cost 100 yuan and small was 60 yuan
After paying ticket and some conservation fees (cost about 200 yuan per pax), we proceed to our first destination, open-air theater where 'Impression of Lijiang' will be staged at.
Entrance to the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
We reached the theater at about 8:45 am, as we were entering; we were given a raincoat (it was drizzling) and a round plastic-covered cushion pad. I can understand why the soonest I saw the seats. It was a hard surface cemented seat made to look like wood log, so the cushion pad gives our butt some comfort Smile.  
To washroom first before Impression of Lijiang. Weather factor limiting the mountain scenery
The 'stage' is constructed like a mountain with ziz-zag passage facing the audience. The upper passage is connected like a circle, surrounding the theater. Beautiful!
Inside the open-air theater, it was drizzling when we arrived, so everyone was clad in rain coat
The show started at around 9:05 am. There are about 7-8 sets of show, each last about 10-15 minutes. Generally, these are well-choreographed folk dances and music themed around local peasant and farmers’ life.
Performances started with some brief into on the drop-down screen
This takes a lot of practice!
The most impressive part about this show is performance take place at 3100 meters, said to be the highest open-air live performance in the world. There are about 500 dancers from 10 ethnic group (with Naxi minority being is the largest in Lijiang).
Loook! Horses are out!
Story on peasants life
One of the minority girl came out to sing, they really have a strong and beautiful vocal
What further impressed me was these dancers have to dance in the rain and at such a high altitude; their heart must be really strong! Smile
We are told there are about 10 minority ethnics, check out their colorful costumes
Overall, the show left a soft spot in my heart - high level of energy, nice music, strong vocal and beautiful costumes! Oh yeah, one can get to see lots of drums and horses too! I’ve seen quite a number of folk dances in China, but this one is really unique. I would strongly recommend anyone who visited Lijiang not to miss the show. Only disappointment we had was the show 'background', Yuelong Snow Mountain cannot be spotted due to rain and bad weather we experienced.
More on beautiful costumes and dances
Extremely well-choreographed dances yet dynamic
Towards the end, dancers bidding farewell and thanking audience
Ticket price: 190 yuan (normal) 260 yuan (VIP)
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