The "2023 Ice • Fire The Song of Everlasting Sorrow" – China's first large-scale live-action historical dance drama – made its debut at the Huaqing Palace scenic area in Lintong district of Xi'an on Dec 1.

This also marked the special commemorative event for the 5000th performance of The Song of Everlasting Sorrow.

The "2023 Ice • Fire The Song of Everlasting Sorrow" is on stage in Xi'an on Dec 1. [Photo provided to en.xa.gov.cn]

As one of the models integrating culture and tourism, the dance drama has been performed for 18 consecutive years since its premiere in 2006, with approximately 10 million visitors.

Since its launch in the winter of 2021, the "Ice • Fire The Song of Everlasting Sorrow" has deeply integrated modern technology with cultural landscapes, allowing the audience to travel through time and experience the story of Emperor Xuanzong during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

This year's performance has undergone transformations and upgrades in various aspects, including performance details, audience environment, lighting and stage design, costumes and props, visual effects, and the large screen on the stage.

The drama dance reproduces the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. [Photo provided to en.xa.gov.cn]

Since 2016, the drama dance has been selected as one of the top 10 scenic tourism performances in China for five consecutive years. In 2023, it was also chosen for the first batch of the national tourism performing arts list.

As the location of the Huaqing Palace scenic area, Lintong district in Xi'an was recognized as one of the first national comprehensive tourism demonstration zones in 2019.

An actress is dressed in exquisite hanfu, a traditional Chinese clothing. [Photo provided to en.xa.gov.cn]

In recent years, Lintong has emerged with a number of classic immersive cultural and tourism projects, relying on its regional characteristics, technological innovation, and historical culture.

From January to October this year, the district received 32.45 million visits. It achieved tourism revenue of 23.19 billion yuan ($3.26 billion), with 21.33 percent and 33 percent year-on-year increases, respectively.

Also, the annual revenue of the Huaqing Palace scenic area exceeded 1 billion yuan for the first time, reaching a historical high.