Performance tickets for ‘Phoenix Dance in the Divine Capital’ in Luoyang + admission tickets to the Jiuzhou Pool of the Sui and Tang Luoyang City

At Jiuzhou Pond, the setting is part of the show: pavilions and water become a stage for Wu Zetian’s rise to power, with dance, martial arts, projections, and bright reflections after dark. The performance lasts about 50 minutes, but allow two to three hours if you want time to see the garden before curtain.

I like two things in particular: the historical setting gives the spectacle a real sense of place, and the mix of court dance, martial arts, and large-scale effects keeps the show visually varied. The ticket also includes access to Jiuzhou Pond, so you can explore before the performance rather than arriving only for the seats.

One point to weigh: this is an outdoor, Chinese-language show, and signs within the scenic area may be hard to follow. Weather can also interrupt the performance, so allow time to find the venue and check notices on site.

At a glance

• A story rooted in Luoyang: The show follows Wu Zetian’s enthronement and her ties to the city.
• The pond becomes the stage: Water, pavilions, and Tang-style buildings frame the evening performance.
• A mix of arts and spectacle: Court dance and martial arts are joined by digital projections, with horses and other effects reported in some performances.
• Two visits to the scenic area: The ticket allows two entry checks at Jiuzhou Pond on the selected date, but only one at the theater.
• A little planning pays off: The show starts around 20:10, and the venue can be confusing to locate once inside the grounds.

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Jiuzhou Pond sets the scene

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Jiuzhou Pond was part of the imperial garden of Sui and Tang Luoyang. Its name refers to the nine regions of the world, and the grounds were used for royal banquets and celebrations. That history gives the performance a stronger connection to Luoyang than a show staged in a standard theater.

The setting is not just scenery behind the cast. Pavilions, towers, corridors, and water are used to create a sequence of scenes, from palace ceremony to public life. That helps the show suggest the scale of the old capital, even if the story itself moves quickly.

You receive admission to Jiuzhou Pond as well as a ticket for the performance. The scenic area is open daily from 15:00 to 22:30, with last entry at 22:00. I’d use the hours before the show to walk around and see the grounds in daylight and early evening, when you can make out the buildings before the projections and lighting take over.

If seeing the main building matters to you, go early rather than assuming you can visit it after the show. One visitor noted that it closed at 19:00. That timing may vary, so check the day’s notices when you arrive.

Wu Zetian’s rise takes center stage

The show’s main thread is Wu Zetian’s enthronement ceremony at Yingtianmen Gate. Its six acts include chapters titled Song of Yingtian, Golden Armor’s Might, National Beauty and Heavenly Fragrance, Tribute from All Nations, and Phoenix Dance in the Divine Capital.

The story presents Wu Zetian as a ruler who challenged aristocratic control and opened high office to people beyond established families. It also highlights her relationship with Luoyang, which served as a capital during her reign. If you know little about her beforehand, the broad outline is easy to follow through the costumes, ceremonial scenes, and shifts in the action.

The performance is in Chinese, and no translation service is specified. You should not expect every plot point to be clear if you do not understand the language. Still, the show leans heavily on movement and visual storytelling, so you can follow much of the action through the staging, music, and costumes.

Dance, martial arts, and effects after dark

The show combines song and dance with martial arts. Dancers dressed as peony fairies bring a graceful, formal look to the stage, while the Golden Armor scenes add a more forceful military style. The contrast helps the production avoid becoming one long procession of similar dances.

The visual effects are a major part of the appeal. Digital images and projections play across water and architectural features, while water screens, aerial projections, and other effects are used to evoke scenes such as boats on the Grand Canal and the face of the Lushena Buddha. The lighting is designed to make the pond itself part of the spectacle.

The technology includes AI imaging and VR, IR, and 3D effects. Those labels matter less once the show begins than the basic result: light and images spread beyond a single stage, making the setting feel larger and shifting the mood from one chapter to the next. Expect a theatrical interpretation of history, not a quiet historical reenactment.

Some performances may include live horses, camel appearances, fire effects, and cavalry charges. These details are not guaranteed for every show, so treat them as possible highlights rather than fixed parts of the program. In any case, the production’s appeal rests on its mix of movement, music, costumes, and large-scale staging.

Plan your evening around the 20:10 start

The usual start time is 20:10. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, the performance is scheduled for about 20:10 to 21:00. On Friday and Saturday, there may be a second show from 21:30 to 22:20. The performance lasts about 50 minutes, though the live schedule can change.

Arrive at least 30 minutes early, as advised for the venue. That is useful not because the show is unusually long to enter, but because finding the theater within the scenic area can take extra effort. Directions in the grounds may be limited or confusing for international visitors. Follow signs and staff instructions, and allow time to walk from the entrance to the north side of the Yaoguang Hall water system, where the performance takes place.

The ticket lets you enter Jiuzhou Pond twice on the day of your visit. The theater ticket is different: it allows one entry, with no re-entry after you leave. This makes a late-afternoon visit followed by an evening show a sensible plan, but do not leave the theater area once you have gone in.

Getting to the north side of Yaoguang Hall

The performance venue is on the north side of the Yaoguang Hall water system in the Jiuzhouchi Scenic Area, on Tanggong Middle Road in Xigong District. A QR code sent by Klook is used for entry. Depending on how you booked, you may also be able to enter by swiping the ID card supplied with your booking. If you receive an SMS, the information provided says you can exchange it for a paper ticket at a self-service machine in the visitor center.

For public transport, bus 889 stops at Tanggongzhong Road Gongyu Road Intersection, about 256 meters from the venue. Yingtianmen Station on Metro Line 1, Exit C2, is about 892 meters away. Buses 26 and 305 stop at Yingtianmen Station, about 1.2 kilometers from the venue.

Those distances are manageable, but the last stretch inside the scenic area is where you should keep your bearings. The event is outdoors, so rain or strong wind may lead the scenic area to stop the show. Raincoats may be provided in rainy conditions, but do not count on weather protection as a substitute for checking the forecast and on-site announcements.

Is the ticket good value?

At a starting price of $24.75, the package includes both the Jiuzhou Pond entrance ticket and the show. Its value depends on whether you want a full evening activity rather than a short performance alone. If you arrive early enough to see the garden, the ticket covers a walk through the historical setting as well as the show that uses it.

The production is a visual event first. You get costumes, choreography, martial arts, lighting, and projections, with some performances adding live animals or fire effects. If you prefer small-scale theater or detailed spoken history, this may not be the best match, especially since the show is in Chinese and no translation is specified.

For someone interested in Tang-era imagery, Wu Zetian, or Luoyang’s imperial past, the format has real advantages. You see the setting, then watch the story staged around it, rather than separating a museum visit from an evening performance. The trade-off is that the production favors spectacle over close historical explanation.

The booking terms are reasonably flexible: cancellation is refundable up to 24 hours before the event starts. The ticket is valid only on the date selected, and real-name information is required for every person entering the park. Check those names carefully, since incorrect details can prevent entry.

Who should book Phoenix Dance in the Divine Capital?

I’d consider this a good evening choice if you want a memorable visual show and are curious about Luoyang’s Sui and Tang past. It suits visitors who enjoy dance, martial arts, elaborate costumes, and technology-heavy staging, and who are comfortable following a Chinese-language performance mainly through what they see.

It is less suitable if you need an English explanation, cannot manage outdoor seating or walking, or would be disappointed by a weather-related cancellation. The venue also advises against attendance for people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, infants, and people with serious heart disease or high blood pressure.

Children up to and including 1.2 meters tall enter free without a seat, with a limit of one free child per adult. Children over 1.2 meters pay the adult price. If you bring a child, weigh the outdoor setting and show time against their ability to stay comfortable through an evening performance.

FAQ

What does the ticket include?

It includes admission to Jiuzhou Pond in Sui and Tang Luoyang City and one ticket to Phoenix Dance in the Divine Capital.

How long does the performance last?

The show has six acts and lasts about 50 minutes, though the live duration may vary.

What time does the show start?

The usual start time is 20:10. A second show may run at 21:30 on Friday and Saturday. Check on-site notices for the schedule on your date.

When can I visit Jiuzhou Pond?

The scenic area is open daily from 15:00 to 22:30. Entry closes at 22:00.

Where is the performance venue?

It is on the north side of the Yaoguang Hall water system inside Jiuzhouchi Scenic Area, on Tanggong Middle Road in Xigong District, Luoyang.

How do I get in?

Scan the QR code sent for admission. Depending on your booking, you may also enter with the booked ID card or exchange an SMS for a paper ticket at the visitor center.

Can I enter Jiuzhou Pond more than once?

Yes. The ticket allows two entry checks at Jiuzhou Pond on the selected date. The theater allows one entry only, with no re-entry.

Do children need a ticket?

Children 1.2 meters tall or shorter enter free without a seat, limited to one free child per adult. Children taller than 1.2 meters pay the adult price.

Can I cancel?

You can receive a refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the event starts.

Can weather affect the performance?

Yes. The performance is outdoors, and the scenic area may stop it in cases such as strong winds or heavy rain. Check the on-site announcement for the day’s arrangements.