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Home › Xian Travel Guide › Xi’an Datang Everbright City: Traveling Back to the Glorious Tang Dynasty

Xi’an Datang Everbright City: Traveling Back to the Glorious Tang Dynasty

Written by Clementine |

As a travel professional in Xian, I’ve visited Datang Everbright City numerous times, but itĀ never ceases to amaze me. Because it is not an ordinary trendy pedestrian street, but a lively recreation of Chang’an, the glorious capital of the Tang Dynasty over 1000 years ago.

Unlike the static collections in the museums, Datang Everbright City integrates magnificent Tang-style architecture, dazzling night views, live performances, poetic ambiance, and authentic marketplace atmosphere, bringing the history to life. Here, you can immerse yourself fully in the prosperous Tang Dynasty. And it is freeĀ of chargeĀ and requires no reservation, making it a must-visit attraction for most travelers during their Xian tour.

  • Location: Near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Yanta District
  • Opening Hours: 24 hours
  • Tickets: Free
  • Suggested Visit Time: 1 – 3 hours
  • Best Time To Visit: A night visit is highly recommended! As dusk falls (around 18:30 in winter and 19:30 in summer), the streetĀ isĀ illuminated with all kinds of lights and various performances come on stage. You will feel as if you have stepped back into the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
Datang Everbright City
Datang Everbright City

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Why I Highly Recommend the Datang Everbright City?

This immersive landmark is a grand Tang-style cultural and leisure district in Xi’an. Spanning 2,100 meters long and 500 meters wide, it is framed by the iconic Giant Wild Goose Pagoda to the north and the historic Tang Dynasty City Wall Heritage Site to the south.

Everywhere you look,Ā it offers a visual feast, from elegant Tang-style architecture, romantic poetic lights inscribed with classic Tang poems to grand Tang-themed sculptures throughout the street. With a seamless blend of ancient charm and modern life, this vibrant block is an absolute must-visit destination for first-timers.

One Day Xian Private Tour to Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City
1 DAY
One Day Xian Private Tour to Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City

1.Ā Enjoy a Hanfu Night Tour

As a local, I highly recommend experiencing a night tour in Hanfu!Ā You will find plenty of hanfu rental stores around the street, offering a wide variety of styles. Dressing in the elegant Tang-style clothing and wandering along the brightly lit street makes you feel as if you’ve travelled back to glorious era of Chang’an. Every snapshot looks like a scene from a historic film, giving you an incredibly immersive experience.

Tips:

  1. The budget packages priced under CNY 200 usually tend to be quite basic, excluding essentials like false eyelashes or exquisite hair accessories. And hairĀ styling and makeup may be simple.
  2. Always check that the clothing is clean and theĀ accessories are complete before payment.
Xian Hanfu Experience
Xian Hanfu Experience
3 Days Xian Food and History Tour
3 DAYS
3 Days Xian Food and History Tour

2.Ā Explore the Sculptures to Learn about the Tang Dynasty History

There are four Tang-style sculpture squares from south to north along the street, offering a glimpse into the splendor of the Tang Dynasty.

The bronze statue of monk Xuanzang and the reproduced Hanyuan Hall is timeless and serene; the sculptures of Tang poets and writers bring a touch of poetic elegance; and the grand sculpture complexes of The Ten Thousand Nations Paying Tribute and The Prosperous Kaiyuan Era show the majesty and power of ancient China.

Step into the golden age of the Tang Dynasty and immerse yourself in the profound history.

Xian Datang Everbright City Sculptures
Xian Datang Everbright City Sculptures

3.Ā Marvel at Asia’s Premier Music Fountain, Extremely Splendid at Night

The music fountain on the north square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the most iconic landscape in the scenic area and is also the top large-scale music fountain in Asia. Combining music and dazzling lights, the music fountain offers every tourist a visual and audio feast.

Schedule:

  • Session 1: 12:00 – 12:10
  • Session 2: 16:00 – 16:10
  • Session 3: 19:00 – 19:10
  • Session 4: 21:00 – 21:10

Note:Ā The daytime showsĀ at 12:00 and 16:00 are canceled every Tuesday due to routine equipment maintenance. Be sure to plan accordingly and avoid missing out.

Features of Big Wild Goose Pagoda Fountain Show
Features of Big Wild Goose Pagoda Fountain Show

4.Ā Watch the Vibrant Street Performances on Site

Starting at 18:30 every day, the block comes alive with immersive Tang-style performances and all are completely free, making them the biggest highlights of a night visit. The show may be slightly adjusted due to weather or seasons. Here are the four most representative performances you can not miss.

Performance
Show Time
Location
Grand Finale:Ā Return to Chang’anĀ (Highly Recommended)
21:00 every night
Kaiyuan Square
Internet-famous Tumbler Performance
19:30–19:40, 20:30–20:40, 21:30–21:40
North side of Kaiyuan Square
Tang Dynasty Mystery BoxĀ Interactive Show
19:00–19:10, 20:00–20:10, 21:00–21:10
West side of the time-honored Defachang Restaurant
Whirling Hu XuanĀ Dance
19:45-19:50, 20:45-20:50, 21:45-21:50
North side of Kaiyuan Square

Insider Tip: The above four performances are the most popular at the Datang Everbright City, especially the grand finaleĀ Return to Chang’an and Internet-famous Tumbler Performance, which are extremely spectacular.

Xian Datang Everbright City shows
Xian Datang Everbright City shows
4 Days Xian Tour Package with Tang Dynasty Dance Show
4 DAYS
4 Days Xian Tour Package with Tang Dynasty Dance Show

The Best Photography Spots for Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Datang Everbright City

The two scenic areas are seamlessly connected. Walking south from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, you will directly reach the northern entrance of the Datang Everbright City. So, it allows visitors to explore both attractions in a single trip.

For the best view of the pagoda, head to the viewing platform on the 4thĀ floor of JoyCity Shopping Mall. Here, you will get a close-up view of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and takeĀ unobstructed shots of this landmark easily.

The platform offers panoramic views, making it a great photography spot at any time of day. It is more enchanting at night, when the pagoda is illuminated by lights. It is the perfect moment to capture a memorable photo.

Trip to Xian Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Big Wild Goose Pagoda Viewed From the Joy City

Practical Travel Information about Datang Everbright City

How to Get There

By metro:Ā Take metro line 3 or 4Ā to Dayanta Station Exit B or C. The last train on both lines departs at around 23:30.

By taxi/ ride-hailing vehicles: There are plenty of taxis and ride-hailing vehicles near the scenic area, making it easy to get back even late at night.

Best Time to Visit

Datang Everbright City is busy with tourists almost all year round. If you want a comfortable visit and better photo opportunities, the best time to beat the crowds is the low seasonĀ from November to early January.

During the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival,Ā the pedestrian street will be decorated with beautiful zodiac-themed lanterns, creating a spectacular night view. But be prepared for the massive crowds due to the holiday.

Where and What to Eat

The surrounding area offers a wide variety of Shaanxi snacks and delicacies and is a paradise for food lovers.

If you want to sample the authentic local flavors all in one place, head to the food court on B1 level in Joy City Shopping Mall. It is easy to navigate and is perfect for grabbing a bite while sightseeing.

Recommended Restaurant:

  1. The Food Gallery of Xian: An iconic restaurant in Xian that specializes in Shaanxi cuisine and is popular with both locals and online reviewers. What sets it apart is the immersive dining experience, complete with Tang-style decorations and live performances.
  2. Tang Cat Courtyard: A Tang-style courtyard restaurant themed by adorable “Tang Cats”, provides a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
3 Days Best of Xian Tour Package
3 DAYS
3 Days Best of Xian Tour Package

Nearby Attractions

  • Big Wild Goose Pagoda: As it is seamlessly connected to the scenic area, the best way to explore this area is to wander around the pagoda in the afternoon, watch the music fountain at dusk and then head to the pedestrian street after nightfall.
  • Joy City Shopping Mall: If time permits, I strongly recommend visiting the Joy City. This mall featuresĀ a great selection of trendy products and digital gadgets, including the latest Pop Mart blind boxes and popular brands like DJI and Insta360. You can also enjoyĀ a cup of specialty Chinese milk tea and shop forĀ lovely souvenirs for your family and friendsĀ here.
  • Nanhu Lake (Qujiang Pool Heritage Park): Just about 3km (about 10 minutes’drive) from the scenic area, Nanhu Lake is free to enter and open 24 hours a day. Known for its elegant Tang-style gardens,Ā sculptures and charming landscapes, it isĀ an ideal destination at daytime. Combining with a night tour to Datang Everbright City, you will enjoy a perfect day.
  • Tang Paradise: This ticketed royal garden is ideal for tourists preferring classic gardens. However, since Datang Everbright City is open for free and offers breathtaking night views, abundant performances and more immersive experiences, I personally would not recommend visiting Tang Paradise.
Qujiang Pool in Xian
Qujiang Pool

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