The Poetry Banquet turns a night out in Nanjing into a court-style performance, with palace lanterns, costumed servers, live music and poetry linked to the food. It is part meal, part stage show, and part chance to dress in Hanfu.
I like two things in particular: the poetry-to-dish concept gives the meal a cultural thread, and the option to add Hanfu and traditional hairstyling lets you take part rather than simply watch. The pipa music, recitation, dance and scenes from old Jinling offer more than a standard dinner setting.
One point to check before booking: the makeover package does not include food. The meal options cost much more, and the exact pace and length of the performance are not specified, so plan this as a special evening rather than a quick bite.
- At a glance: what matters before you book
- The court setting begins at the door
- Poetry on the plate
- Music, dance and the stories between courses
- Hanfu styling: more than a costume change
- Choosing lunch, dinner or makeover only
- Timing and arrival details that can shape your visit
- Who will get the most from the Poetry Banquet?
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- Does the makeover package include food?
- What is included in the basic makeover?
- What does the exquisite makeover add?
- How much do the meal packages cost?
- What time should I arrive?
- Where is the Poetry Banquet?
- Is there an age limit?
- What should I show for entry?
- The Best Of Nanjing!
- More Tours in Nanjing
- More Tour Reviews in Nanjing
- Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Nanjing we have reviewed
At a glance: what matters before you book
1 / 9
2 / 9
3 / 9
4 / 9
5 / 9
6 / 9
7 / 9
8 / 9
9 / 9- Palace-style setting: Vermilion corridors, carved wooden windows and hanging lanterns set up a formal court atmosphere.
- A show with several art forms: Expect pipa music, poetry recitation, dance and staged scenes connected to Nanjing’s past.
- Food tied to literature: Meal dishes draw on works ranging from the Classic of Poetry and Songs of Chu to Tang and Song poetry, Yuan opera and Ming-Qing novels.
- Three package choices: Lunch and dinner include the feast, while the makeover option covers Hanfu and styling only.
- A named booking helper: Lucy helped one non-Mandarin-speaking visitor with arrangements and arrival, though you should not assume you will be assigned the same contact.
- Practical arrival windows: Lunch arrivals are between 10:00 and 11:30; dinner arrivals are between 17:00 and 18:30, with seating set by arrival order.
👉 See our pick of the 9 Best Spa And Hot Springs Experiences In Nanjing
The court setting begins at the door
The venue is at No. 88, Longpan Road, in Nanjing’s Xuanwu District. Inside, the design aims for an imperial banquet hall, with carved wooden windows, vermilion corridors and palace lanterns. These details establish the mood before the performance starts, and make the setting feel deliberately different from a regular restaurant.
It is best to think of the room as a theatrical interpretation of court life, not a preserved historic dining hall. The details are arranged to support a story about poetry, music, food and the old capital of Jinling. If you enjoy settings that make a meal feel like an event, that visual framing is a big part of the appeal.
The show opens with holographic projections depicting Six Dynasties scenery. A pipa player performs amid shifting light, while a poetry reciter in traditional dress joins the music. Lighting changes with the rhythm, turning the opening into a staged introduction to the night’s themes.
Actors later recreate scenes of Six Dynasties market life and imperial gatherings. These vignettes give the evening a sense of movement and place, rather than leaving you to study decor while waiting for dinner. The experience uses sight and sound to introduce Nanjing’s cultural past, though the exact order and duration of each performance are not specified.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Nanjing.
Poetry on the plate
The food is designed around poetry and literature, not simply given decorative names. Each dish is connected to a work or tradition, with references spanning the Classic of Poetry, Songs of Chu, Tang poetry, Song poetry, Yuan opera and Ming-Qing novels. The idea is to link the flavors of Jinling cuisine with the words and stories that shaped Chinese culture.
That gives the meal a useful point of focus. Instead of treating dinner and the show as separate parts of the evening, the concept asks you to notice how literature can inform a menu. You may find that the references add more to the meal if you enjoy poetry or cultural storytelling, but the supplied details do not name specific dishes or explain how each connection is presented at the table.
The banquet is described as a mix of traditional cultural material and modern dance. That blend may appeal if you want an introduction to classical themes without sitting through a formal lecture. It also means the performance is a staged interpretation, not a strictly historical reenactment.
A practical distinction matters here: the meal packages are the ones that include the feast. The makeover experience is for clothing, hair and, in the more elaborate version, makeup. If you book the makeover alone, arrange food separately.
Music, dance and the stories between courses
The performance combines several forms rather than relying on one long show. Pipa music provides a traditional sound, poetry recitation brings the language to the front, and dance gives the production a visual rhythm. Staged scenes of market life and court gatherings round out the program.
I like that this format gives you different ways into the subject. You do not need to recognize a poem to follow a dance or respond to live music, and you can still appreciate the atmosphere if the literary references are unfamiliar. On the other hand, language may shape how much you take from the recitation. The available information does not specify whether translations or explanations are provided, so do not count on English interpretation.
The show is part of the meal’s main value, not just background entertainment. If you mainly want a quick, inexpensive dinner, the performance and formal setting may feel like more than you need. If you are looking for a memorable evening with a clear cultural theme, the combination makes more sense.
Hanfu styling: more than a costume change
The makeover option lets you wear Hanfu and have an ancient-style hairstyle created. A more extensive option adds ancient-style makeup, while the basic package includes one Hanfu set and hairstyling. This can make the visit feel participatory: you are not only watching costumed performers, but also stepping into the visual world the venue is presenting.
The two styling levels are worth comparing before you pay. The basic package includes Hanfu and hairstyle; the exquisite makeover adds makeup. Neither includes food. The listed exclusions also name rapid moisturizers, false eyelashes, double-eyelid tape, colored contact lenses and nipple covers. If you have sensitive skin, you may bring your own foundation.
One non-Mandarin-speaking visitor described getting ready in comfort and feeling welcome throughout the experience. Booking contact Lucy helped with arrangements and made sure the visitor reached the venue in time. That is a useful sign that language need not prevent a successful visit, but Lucy’s help should be treated as a specific example, not a guaranteed service assignment.
Choosing lunch, dinner or makeover only
The three options serve different purposes. The Imperial Feast Lunch, without makeup and hairstyling, starts at US$83.20. The Royal Feast Dinner, also without makeup and hairstyling, starts at US$100.45. The Makeover Experience, with no food, starts at US$16.65.
The general experience price is also shown from US$18.35, so check the live price and package details for your chosen date before paying. Prices can vary by package, and the headline figure is not a safe guide to what a full meal will cost. The lunch and dinner rates are the relevant figures if you want the banquet itself.
For value, ask what you want the evening to provide. The makeover package is the lower-cost way to wear Hanfu and have your hair styled, but it does not buy the feast. The meal packages cost considerably more, yet they include the central combination of food and performance. Dinner is priced higher than lunch, though no specific difference in menu or show content is provided.
The booking service fee is included. Other personal expenses and tips are not. No age limit is stated, making this an option for mixed-age groups, though the formal staging and literary theme may suit some children more than others.
Timing and arrival details that can shape your visit
After a successful booking, customer service follows up with the experience time. Arrive within the stated window: 10:00 to 11:30 for lunch or 17:00 to 18:30 for dinner. Seating is arranged in arrival order, so arriving toward the earlier part of the window may give you more choice in where you sit, although no specific seating preference is promised.
The booking confirmation should arrive within 24 hours. If it does not, contact customer support. The voucher is valid only for the date and time specified, and you present the Klook customer service message to staff for entry.
The venue is listed as Poetry Banquet, at No. 88, Longpan Road, Suojincun Subdistrict, Xuanwu District, Nanjing. The provided details do not specify transport options, parking, show duration or seating layout. Check those points directly if they matter to your plans, especially if you are fitting the banquet around another activity.
Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the activity date, using local destination time, receive a full refund. This gives you some flexibility, but keep the deadline in mind if your Nanjing schedule is still shifting.
Who will get the most from the Poetry Banquet?
I would consider this experience if you want dinner to be an activity in its own right. It suits visitors curious about Chinese poetry and performance, people who enjoy themed dining, and anyone keen to wear Hanfu for an evening. The range of art forms also makes the show accessible in a broad sense, even if you do not know the poems being recited.
It may be less appealing if you want an ordinary restaurant meal, a quiet setting, or a detailed English-language lesson in Chinese literature. The production is designed to create atmosphere and tell cultural stories through performance; the information available does not promise translation, explanations of every dish, or a particular level of interaction.
For a first visit to Nanjing, this can add a distinctive cultural evening to a schedule that already includes the city’s historic sites. Just keep the scale of the experience clear: you are booking a staged feast and, optionally, a makeover, not a guided tour of Nanjing.
Should you book it?
Book the Poetry Banquet if the blend of food, poetry, music and dress-up sounds like your kind of evening. The strongest reason to choose it is the joined-up concept: the setting, live performance and literature-inspired menu all point in the same direction. The Hanfu option adds a personal element, and Lucy’s practical help shows that booking support can make the visit easier for someone who does not speak Mandarin.
Skip it, or choose the makeover-only package, if the full meal price does not fit your plans. Check carefully that your selected option includes food, arrive within the stated window, and ask about language support if you need English explanations. With those points clear, this is a memorable way to make dinner feel like more than dinner.
Nanjing Poetry Banquet: An Immersive Royal Court Feast Experience
“I had a great experience with the immersive dinner and dance show. Lucy, who helped me to book this particular show, was super helpful. She knew I…”
FAQ
Does the makeover package include food?
No. The Makeover Experience includes Hanfu and hairstyling, with a more extensive option that adds ancient-style makeup. Food is not included.
What is included in the basic makeover?
The basic makeover includes one Hanfu set and an ancient-style hairstyle.
What does the exquisite makeover add?
It includes a Hanfu set, an ancient-style hairstyle and ancient-style makeup.
How much do the meal packages cost?
The Imperial Feast Lunch starts at US$83.20, and the Royal Feast Dinner starts at US$100.45. Both are listed without makeup and hairstyling.
What time should I arrive?
For lunch, arrive between 10:00 and 11:30. For dinner, arrive between 17:00 and 18:30. Seating is arranged in arrival order.
Where is the Poetry Banquet?
It is at No. 88, Longpan Road, Suojincun Subdistrict, Xuanwu District, Nanjing.
Is there an age limit?
No. The activity has no age limit.
What should I show for entry?
Present the Klook customer service message to staff. The voucher is valid only on the specified date and time.
