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

Written by Clementine | Updated January 29,2026

If you plan to travel to Xi’an, Datang Everbright City (also called Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City or the Grand Tang Mall) is definitely a must-visit attraction! Adjacent to the historic Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Datang Everbright City is the only large-scale Tang style architectural complex pedestrian street in China with the background of the prosperous Tang culture, and is a landmark scenic spot in Xi’an.

As the top destination for showcasing and experiencing Tang culture in Xi’an, Datang Everbright City has attracted a large number of tourists with its unique Tang culture and rich cultural, artistic, and technological exhibitions. Datang Everbright City is brightly lit at night, with antique style buildings shining brilliantly between the turns of light and shadow, recreating the magnificent Tang Dynasty. It is a wonderful place for Xi’an night tours.

Content Preview

• • Facts About Datang Everbright City
  • What to See and Do in Datang Everbright City
  • Best Times to Visit the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City
  • Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City vs. Tang Paradise
  • Essential Tips for Visiting Datang Everbright City
  • How to Get to Datang Everbright City
  • Attractions Nearby Datang Everbright City in Xian

Facts About Datang Everbright City

• Location: 46, Ci’en Road, Yanta District, Xi’anCity, Shaanxi Province. Situated at the foot of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, it starts from the South Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the north, to the Tang City Wall Ruins in the south, from Ci’en East Road in the east, to Ci’en West Road in the west.
• Area and Scale: 2,100 meters long from north to south and 500 meters wide from east to west, covering an area of approximately 9.36 million square meters with a total construction area of 650,000 square meters.
• Opening Hours: Open all day, some commercial facilities and cultural activities have different business hours.
• Tickets: it is opened for free and no reservation is required. Yet,some commercial facilities and cultural activities need to buy tickets separately.
• Type: Landmark, Themed Pedestrian Street
• Reasons to Visit: Datang Everbright City isthe best place to experience the flourishing Tang culture, the best place to enjoy the Xi’an nightlife, the best background to take beautiful photos, and the best way to experience the ancient Chang’an
• Best Visiting Time: It is recommended to visitin the evening, as the night scene is more fascinating.
• Time Needed:about 2-3 hours

Why Is It Called “Everbright City”?

Its name originates from the bustling night market in Chang’an City of Tang Dynasty. According to the history materials, in prosperous Tang Dynasty, imperial city was brightly lit for the night banquets, thus jokingly called the “Everbright City” by the people of the time. And business flourished and markets were opened all night long. So the scenic area recreates the everbright landscapes of prosperous Tang era by using 80,000 Tang style palace lanterns to create a night light show.

What to See and Do in Datang Everbright City

Enjoy Cultural Shows and Performances

Every evening, Datang Everbright City will turn into a stunning and impressive stage, providing visitors with all amazing outdoor performances. These carefully arranged shows celebrate Tang Dynasty culture which is deeply rooted in Xi’an. From water and light shows to elegant dances, poetry reenactments, the programs will bring history to life in an immersive and engaging way.

Here is the performance schedule and venue guide:

Take Amazing Photos of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda

While the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is already impressive by day, it’s even more breathtaking after sunset. When the night comes, the warm golden lights will illuminate all bricks of the ancient structure and cast a majestic glow over Datang Everbright City.

The contrast between Tang-style building and modern lighting creates a dramatic scene which is perfect for photography. While visiting this site, you’ll capture not only the historic pagoda but also the vibrant atmosphere of fountain shows, performances, and visitors dressed in Hanfu. Below are the best photo spots for the Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Datang Everbright City Night Views:

• Joy City Mall 4th Floor Observation Deck (西安大悦城四楼观景台)

Here you can take panoramic night views of the pagoda and the entire pedestrian street. It is ideal for wide-angle shots.

• North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔北广场)

During the fountain and light show, you can take tunning reflections of the pagoda.

• Archway Entrance of Datang Everbright City (大唐不夜城牌坊)

A classic shot spot with the grand Tang-style gate and the illuminated tower behind it.

Watch the Spectacular Music Fountain Show at North Square

The Great Music Fountain at Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Square (雁塔广场喷泉) is one of the largest musical fountains in Asia. It features a spectacular show of water, light, and music—and it’s completely free for everyone to enjoy.

Fountain show schedule:

• 12:00–12:10 (Midday show)
• 16:00–16:10 (Afternoon show)
• 19:00–19:10 (Evening show)
• 21:00–21:10 (Night show)

Important notes:

In case of weather-related changes or special adjustments, announcements will be posted on the official Weibo account of Datang Everbright City.

Wear Traditional Hanfu for Amazing Photos

Dressing in traditional Hanfu while exploring Datang Everbright City is trendy and highly recommended. However, doing this is not just for fun, it’s also the perfect way to immerse yourself in China’s Tang Dynasty culture. You can find dozens of nearby Hanfu rental shops offer full styling services, and they’ll have someone prepare everything for you including hair, makeup, and accessories, so you can effortlessly get a new look for your photo shoot. Here are five of the best places to take unforgettable Hanfu photos:

• Main Archway of Datang Everbright City

This iconic entrance, with its bold “Datang Everbright City” signage and majestic Tang-style buildings in the background, is perfect for wide-angle shots especially at dusk, when the entire area lights up.

• Zhenguan Square

The square is home to a towering statue of Emperor Taizong and is surrounded by multiple traditional architecture. It will become a stunning photo spot after dark with its atmospheric lighting and open space.

• Beside the Music Fountain

The dancing fountain show, paired with synchronized lights and music effect, can provide a dynamic nighttime backdrop for visitors’ photos.

• Ancient Poetry Street

This tree-lined walkway features delicate lanterns and poem scrolls hanging from branches. The setting feels poetic and dreamlike—perfect for capturing softer, more artistic portraits.

• Lantern Tunnel near the Music Hall

A hidden gem, this quiet alley is strung with hundreds of glowing lanterns, creating a magical “time tunnel” effect. It’s one of the most photogenic spots, especially right after the lights turn on in the early evening.

Feel the Vibrant Night Vibes

Datang Everbright City truly comes alive as night falls, especially when the site glows under colorful lights. It is time for music, dances and interactive installations. All the vibrant events are designed to immerse visitors in Xi’an’s unique atmosphere, which is shaped by the city’s profound ancient culture and modern creativity.

Walking in the Datang Everbright City is like walking in a classic Chinese tale. You’ll encounter performers dressed as historical figures, pass by glowing lantern displays, and watch dazzling light shows projected onto buildings. On weekends and holidays, there would even be themed shows appearing without telling—making every visit unique and full of surprise.

This is not just a sightseeing spot—it’s a stage, a festival, and a cultural playground. It’s the best place in Xi’an to soak up the city’s nightlife, take memorable photos, and feel the pulse of Tang Dynasty charm in a modern setting.

Best Times to Visit the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City

Datang Everbright City is open year-round, and the best times to visit (on a daily basis) are in the evening, especially between 6:30 PM and 10:00 PM. During this period, the lights shows, performances, and atmosphere are all at their peak.

• Weekday evenings (Monday to Thursday): This period is less crowded, ideal for leisurely walks and photography.
• Weekend evenings and holidays: More performances and special events, however, you’ll also see more people. Arrive early if you want a good viewing spot.
• Spring and autumn: Mild weather and clear skies make these seasons perfect for outdoor exploration and photography.

Avoid rainy days: While the lights are still beautiful, many performances may be canceled due to weather.

Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City vs. Tang Paradise

Both are top Tang Dynasty-themed attractions in Xi’an, but they cater to distinct travel preferences. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which suits your needs:

Essential Tips for Visiting Datang Everbright City – Based on Our Real Experience

To make the most of your trip to Datang Everbright City, we’ve prepared some practical tips for you:

• The scenic area actually stretches north to south, connecting Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square in the north and Kaiyuan Square in the south. Usually, the square is chosen as the starting point and then continue southward.
• The travel route is North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda – South Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda – Sculpture Group of the Tang Dynasty Heroes – Zhenguan Square – All Nations Come to Pay Homage – Tang Cultural Pillars – Kaiyuan Square. It is a very simple route. After arriving, you will find you only need to follow the crowds.
• The music fountain show at night is performed at 19:00 (except the holidays), so it is advised to arrive there at about 18:40 to occupy a good viewing spot. Otherwise, you will see many tourists in front of you.
• If you plan to enjoy dinner in advance, then arrive around 18:00. We highly recommend you to choose the Joy City or Chang’an Da Paidang Restaurant.
• If you are interested in the performances, check the schedule. Sometimes, the performances overlap, so you will need to make choices.
• The performances will be updated irregularly and are usually different during public holidays. So we advise you to get the latest version through the official Wechat account of Datang Everbright City.
• During peak hours, the whole scenic area is always full of people, we think touring in one direction is better and pay attention to the steps.
• Don’t spend too much time and money on street food inside the scenic area, most foods here are overpriced and also tasted average.
• If you want to enrich travel experiences, try on traditional Chinese clothes to immerse in the cultural atmosphere.

How to Get to Datang Everbright City

Datang Everbright City is in a north-south layout, and it is advised to start from the North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Return transportation:

The closest metro station to Kaiyuan Square is the Tatangbuyecheng Station of line 8, which is about 800 meters south to the square. If you are near the middle area of the district (Zhengguan Square), Datangfurongyuan Station of line 4 is closer, which is also about 800 meters away. While its distances to Dayanta Station and Tatangbuyecheng Station are about 1.5 km and 1.6 km, respectively.

If you want to take a taxi during peak hours, we highly recommend you to reserve in advance, or you may need to queue up for a car for over half an hour.

Attractions Nearby Datang Everbright City in Xian

• Big Wild Goose Pagoda: A Famous Landmark of Xian along the Silk Road
• Tang Paradise: A Royal-garden Park with Authentic Cultural Experience
• Shaanxi History Museum: Witness of the Splendid History of Shaanxi
• Qujiang Pool Park: Tranquil Oasis Amidst Historical Grandeur

Explore Xian with China Xian Tour

Xian is a hot tourist city in China and is famous for its numerous historical and cultural scenic areas. Every year, a large number of domestic and foreign tourists are attracted. So the tickets and hotels are always in short supply. Joining our tour group, we will handle them for you. In addition, we will assign a local guide to introduce the history and stories of the attractions, so that you can enjoy an in-depth tour. If needed, we can also tailor a Xian tour completely based on your preferences and needs. Just contact China Xian Tour now to start your perfect tour.