“Seeing Pingyao” Performance in Pingyao, Jinzhong

The large-scale live immersive performance Once Again in Pingyao (又见平遥) is the first project of the "Once Again" series in northern China, with Wang Chaoge as the chief director. It is one of Shanxi Province's key tourism development projects during the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan” period, marking its transformation from an energy powerhouse to a cultural province.

The premiere took place on February 18, 2013, in Pingyao County (平遥县), Jinzhong City (晋中市), Shanxi Province (山西省). On February 13, 2022, the show officially resumed. Due to the pandemic, performances were suspended in March 2022 but resumed on May 22, 2022. In 2023, the performance was selected as a national exemplary case of immersive cultural tourism, becoming a benchmark project in Shanxi tourism. The show tells a story of bloodline inheritance and enduring legacy, immersing visitors in Pingyao (平遥) and Shanxi (山西) people's virtues and the spirit of Shanxi merchants through scenes like “Escort Bath,” “Soul Returning Home,” “Courtyard Wife Selection,” and “Mask Dance,” using innovative “walking” audience experiences.

During the May Day holiday in 2021, the show attracted over 100,000 visitors in a single day, setting a record for the historic cultural district of Pingyao. In 2021, it was awarded the title of “National First Batch SIT Super Immersive Tourism Project” and has received multiple honors including the 2020 China Top 10 Innovative Cultural Projects and the Most Innovative Award at the 2021 Asia Cultural Tourism Conference.

Chinese Name: 又见平遥
Performance Type: Immersive Experience Drama
Performance Start Date: February 18, 2013
Location: Pingyao County (平遥县), Jinzhong City (晋中市), Shanxi Province (山西省)
Schedule: Tuesday–Sunday 14:00, 19:00; additional shows on holidays 10:30, 16:00, 21:00

Performance Information

• Time: Daily at 14:00 and 19:00 (closed on Mondays); holiday additional shows at 10:30, 16:00, 21:00 (please check with the theater ticket center for details)
• Venue: 154 Shuncheng Road, Pingyao County (平遥县顺城路154号)
• Ticket Price: 238 RMB (from January 29, 2017)
• Resumption: The show officially resumed on February 13, 2022. Tickets can be pre-purchased via the Pingyao Ancient City official WeChat mini-program. Performances are held daily at 14:00 and 19:00. The indoor immersive performance resumed on May 22, 2022.

Plot Summary

Once Again in Pingyao (又见平遥) tells a story of bloodline inheritance and resilience: In the late Qing Dynasty, Zhao Yishuo of the Pingyao Ancient City (平遥古城) banking family sacrificed his wealth to retrieve a branch of the Wang family lineage from Russian hands, escorted by 232 guards from Tongxing Escort Agency (同兴公镖局). Seven years later, Zhao and all 232 guards perished en route, but the Wang bloodline survived.

The performance highlights Pingyao people's moral traditions through scenes such as “Wife Selection,” “Escort Bath,” “Soul Returning Home,” and “Mask Show.” These segments are carefully crafted using historical accuracy and symbolic storytelling, allowing audiences to experience both visual and literary richness. Unlike the “Impression” series, this production moved indoors while integrating elements of the ancient city, creating a labyrinthine theater with multiple themed spaces. In 90 minutes, audiences walk through different spaces—from late Qing streets to courtyards, markets, and South Gate Square—immersing themselves in history.

Chief Director Wang Chaoge notes that the show uses theater, dance, sound, and music to create a unique space, allowing the audience to feel as if they are traveling back 100 years.

Project Overview

Once Again in Pingyao (又见平遥) is an original, innovative project by the Once Again team, pioneering indoor immersive experience drama in northern China. The cultural tourism area covers 350 acres, divided into three main zones:

1. Performance Zone: Centered around the theater
2. Tourism Service Zone: Including parking and support facilities
3. Cultural Tourism Display Zone: Featuring a themed pedestrian street

Project Stages

1. March–October 2011: Negotiation and signing of the contract
2. October 2011–March 2012: Restructuring, relocation, and creative planning
3. March–July 2012: Main theater construction
4. August–October 2012: Installation of sound, light, and electrical systems
5. October–December 2012: Rehearsals and final preparations; premiere on February 18, 2013

The project adhered to traditional building techniques and achieved “Pingyao speed,” reflecting the spirit of Pingyao (平遥精神).

Theater Design

The theater draws inspiration from the rolling rooftops of Pingyao Ancient City, with a design combining traditional materials like earth and tiles with modern architectural techniques to create a rhythmic, dynamic space. The theater’s total height is 15 meters, with underground portions 6 meters deep and above-ground height 9 meters, blending with the ancient city walls.

The theater comprises four main zones:

• Zone A – Audience Waiting Area: 1,683 m², modeled after the late Qing Tongxing Escort Agency, reflecting Pingyao’s historic architecture.
• Zone B – Commercial and Cultural Display: 2,845 m², 22 buildings showcasing the bustling commerce of late Qing Pingyao.
• Zone C – Residential Life Display: 2,200 m², recreating representative Pingyao residences with enhanced theatrical features.
• Zone D – Comprehensive Cultural Performance Area: 2,200 m², using modern audiovisual effects to display over 2,000 years of Pingyao’s cultural, political, and economic history.

Audience Experience

The immersive theater abandons traditional audience-stage separation. Visitors walk through a maze-like space, sometimes streets, sometimes courtyards or walls, over 90 minutes. Performers interact closely with the audience, making them part of the drama. Each route offers unique perspectives, so multiple visits provide a fuller understanding.

Awards and Recognition

• November 2021: National First Batch SIT Super Immersive Tourism Project
• July 2023: Selected as a National Exemplary Case of Immersive Cultural Tourism
• September 15, 2023: Listed in the National Tourism Performance Boutique Directory