A magnificent immersive theatrical performance has transported the audience through the epic history of ancient China's Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) in Xi'an, the capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.
The super-large-scale stage show "The Great Qin" was performed at the opening ceremony of the 10th Silk Road International Arts Festival on the night of Oct 12.
This 80-minute show was staged in a state-of-the-art theater featuring 1,500 mobile seats, multi-space theater layout, and the use of cutting-edge multimedia technology, lighting design and stage mechanical systems.
With six incredible scenes, the spectacular drama recreates the imperial palaces and battlefields back 2,200 years to the Qin dynasty, allowing the audience to experience grand history and culture of the empire and the Chinese nation through immersive technologies.
"In the 32,000-square-meter theater, the show innovatively integrates opera, dance drama, music drama and stage play. In the spatial changes between six scenes, various special effects such as water, lightning, wind and fog are staged in turn, allowing the audience to enjoy the unprecedented visual impact and soul-stirring moments brought by the integration of history and art in the huge indoor space," said Pang Bo, chairman of the Shaanxi Culture Industry Investment Group, the producer of "The Great Qin."
The Qin dynasty is China's first united state and the Qin culture is one of the roots of Chinese culture.
"The Great Qin" uses the story of a historical figure during the Qin dynasty as the main line, presenting the process of the rise of the empire from the perspective of an ordinary person. It not only depicts Qin people's course of hard struggle, but also conveys the spirit of patriotism in the Chinese culture.
"We use the method of real-scene performance in a large indoor space to transform the history into a warm and touchable product by combining cultural content with modern technology, and present the historical significance and value of the Qin dynasty as well as the struggle spirit and open mind of the Qin people to today's people in a more vivid form," said Pang.
"The Great Qin" was debuted in the ancient city of Xi'an on Sept 27, 2024, and has since been set as a regular performance for tourists.
Theatrical show immerses audience in history of China's Qin dynasty
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
