China's performing arts scene is taking the center stage, literally, as more tourists plan their travel around live musicals, operas, and dance dramas, which, from revolutionary tales to classical revivals, are becoming must-see attractions, drawing both domestic and international audiences.
This spring, the hottest tickets are not just for shows, but also for the trips to see them. Theaters from the cities of Chengdu and Chongqing in southwest China to Hangzhou in east China have become popular travel destinations in their own right.
A recent report from the China Association of Performing Arts reveals that tourism-themed performances are gaining ground, thanks to cutting-edge technology and storytelling rooted deeply in regional heritage.
One standout is the historical drama Chongqing 1949, which has returned to the stage with upgraded visuals and a revised script. The show, set during the city's liberation in 1949, pays tribute to revolutionary heroes and has attracted audiences from far and wide.
"I'm from Indonesia. We came, the whole family, about 30 people. This is huge. The technology is very advanced. We are amazing [amazed by] what's happening. I mean, what's happening in China nowadays is quite good. We often went to New York to see the opera also, but this one is advanced. I mean, the stage is more advanced than the one that we always saw in there," said Vera, an international visitor.
In Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, audiences were captivated by Spring Dawns Along the Su Causeway, an original play by the National Theater of China. Held from March 28 to April 2, the production didn't stop at storytelling - it extended into real-world cultural tours at Meishan's Three Su Memorial Museum.
The "Three Su" of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) is a most representative literary family in ancient China. They are Su Shi, Su Zhe, and Su Xun, three literary giants who jointly wrote a glorious literary legend.
"The play deepened my understanding of Su Shi (1037-1101) more than books did. Visiting these historic sites afterward really makes the saying, 'read a thousand books, travel a thousand miles,' come to life," said Zhai Yanyu, a tourist from east China's Zhejiang Province.
Meanwhile, in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, the Yue Opera My Grand View Garden - a modern adaptation of Dream of the Red Chamber - was a complete sell-out, attracting fans from across the globe.
"I live and work in London, UK most of the time, but I made sure that my friends help me get tickets while I'm back in China for business. I think 'My Grand View Garden' perfectly captures Eastern aesthetics - its artistic sensibility is incredibly refined and absolutely stands up to international standards. In fact, I'm now planning to watch all of Zhejiang Xiaobaihua's Yue Opera productions," said Xiong Lan, an audience member.
As audiences pack theaters and follow performance trails across provinces, China's stage-inspired journeys are transforming the tourism landscape by blending culture and creativity to create unforgettable travel experiences.
Traveling for performances becomes new trend in China
Traveling for performances becomes new trend in China
