August in Xi’an is even more sweltering than Beijing, with the apparent temperature dropping from 43 to 42 degrees Celsius just as the performance at the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City begins. In the midst of the scorching heat wave, a male and female performer, dressed in royal attire and wearing face masks, begin their performance of Weebles That Don’t Fall Down under the watchful eyes of the crowd…
Whether you are captivated by the scene or not, you can’t help but be moved as you continue down this bustling pedestrian street that takes you back to the Tang Dynasty. The large screens showing historical dramas, the Terracotta Army floating as if on an airplane, amateur singers on stage, and the light show that changes color with every step you take – all create an atmosphere that’s increasingly rare on Beijing’s streets, where designs to please citizens seem to be dwindling. Even during major events like the Winter Olympics, the giant screens on Wangfujing Street did not show a single game.
If only Xu Wei was playing, I’d stay another two hours, heatstroke be damned. But recalling the musical fountains at the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the light show on the ancient city walls, it’s clear that regardless of aesthetic tastes, Xi’an still strives to entertain its citizens and tourists alike. Meanwhile, fond memories of the fireworks that lit up the entire city of Beijing have become a distant blur.