The Performance of the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance is one of the most attractive entertainment activities for tourists to Xi’an. It takes roots from the historical records and folk legends about the Tang Dynasty and shows to the audience the court life and social costumes of more than 1,300 years ago through such performance as instrument playing and dancing. The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Troupe has won warm acclaim in China as well as warm welcome among foreigners who take a profound interest in Chinese culture.

In the segment of instrumental playing the performers mainly present to the audience pipa,, a hand-plucked traditional instrument, and paixiao, a three-thousand-year blowing instrument. Two of the most representative music articles are: “ Spring Outing” and “ Spring Orioles Song.” The dance segment boasts boasts even greater charm. “The Warrior Triumphal Dance,” which was about Li Shimin, the first Tang emperor who claimed himself Prince of Qin during the war before the founding of the dynasty, vividly shows the morale of his powerful commanding troops. “ The Feather Dress Dance” was created by Lady Yang, the favorite imperial concubine of Emperor Xuan Zong. According to the legend, once Xuan Zong had a dream in which he traveled to the palace of the moon.. In the palace he met some celestial women,dressed in feathers and rosy clouds dancing in the sky. After the emperor awoke, the concubine created and performed this dance according to the emperor’s recollection. “The Tage” shows the style of dance that was popular in the palace and among the common people. It represents the Tang people celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival each year in a beautiful area near the Huaqing Pool at the foot of the Lishan Mountain. The royal family joined the happy crowd and gave blessings to the subjects in his empire.

The Tang Palace Dinner is usually served together with the performance. With such enjoyment the audience can gain not only an experience of the Tang court life and the social customs, but more important , a thorough understanding of the history of traditional Chinese music and dances. All this is expected to make the audience be much better acquainted with the age-old Chinese culture.