Lantern Walk in Chang'an: The 2025 Datang Everbright City Immersive Night Tour Guide

As the lights come on, the 2-kilometer-long Tang-style Tianjie Street is awakened by lanterns hanging like stars. Figures in Hanfu overlap with ancient architecture outlines. This is Datang Everbright City—the top landmark in Xi'an that lets you travel through a thousand years in a day. This guide, including insider show secrets, a food map, and tips to avoid pitfalls, will help you unlock the most authentic prosperous Tang Dynasty night tour experience. 1. Pre-trip Essentials: Time- and Effort-saving Core Guide Transportation and Timing - Preferred subway: Take Line 3 or 4 to Dayanta Station Southeast Exit, directly reaching Dayanta North Square. Upon exit, you can see the music fountain, and a 5-minute walk leads you into the core area of Everbright City. For driving, it’s recommended to park at the west side parking lot of Dayanta North Square, though it’s costly and prone to congestion during peak hours. Public transportation is more recommended. - Best time: Enter after 6:30 PM for optimal experience when lights are just on and before peak crowds; Sunday to Thursday offers a better experience with 40% fewer visitors than weekends; after 10:30 PM, taxis are hard to find, so book ride-hailing services in advance. Outfit and Gear - Hanfu rental tips: Near the Bell Tower, shops like “Yijin Chang’an” rent Hanfu for 100 RMB/day including makeup, offering better value than inside the scenic area. The chest-high ruqun paired with a shawl is most photogenic; adding a glowing shawl at night enhances liveliness. - Must-have props: Red oil-paper umbrellas and round fans enhance the ancient atmosphere and can be bought at street stalls for 10-20 RMB; bring a portable fill light to avoid dull facial tones in night photos. 2. Show Guide: Unlock All Main and Surprise Performances Must-see Core Shows (Autumn Edition) - “Prosperous Era Welcome”: Performed 7:00-7:20 PM at Kaiyuan Square, a hundred-person Tang costume parade reenacts grand Tang ceremonies, setting a highly ceremonial tone for the opening. - “Neon Feathered Garments”: 7:40-8:10 PM at the Zhenguan Governance Sculpture Group, a water curtain dance. The left stone steps are the best viewing spot; arrive 30 minutes early to catch details. - “Secret Box of the Prosperous Tang”: A 8:00 PM talk-show style interactive performance where two “Tang officials” quiz visitors on poetry and history. Those selected to go on stage receive cultural souvenirs. - “Light of the Polar Night”: 10:10-10:40 PM at Dayanta South Square, a 3D building projection show casts light and shadow on the ancient pagoda, creating a stunning fusion of past and present. - “Tang Costume Roly-poly Doll”: Performed at 7:30 and 9:30 PM on the east side of Kaiyuan Square. Shooting from a 15-degree angle on the right captures interactive moments; arrive 30 minutes early for a chance to hold hands up close. Hidden Activities and Limited Surprises - VIP viewing tips: For panoramic shots of the “Silk Road Long Song” camel caravan, go to the second-floor terrace of “Shan Shisan” ice cream shop; if outdoor shows are canceled due to rain, head to the Datang Everbright City Art Museum for indoor special performances. - Limited perks: Every Wednesday at 8:00 PM, there is a “Random NPC Task” where completing poetry duels earns cultural souvenirs; on your birthday, show your ID at the visitor center to open a “Prosperous Tang Blind Box.” - Paid upgrade experience: The immersive drama “The Twelve Hours of Chang’an” at 7:50 and 9:20 PM costs 198 RMB to reserve, including props and costumes. Follow actors from Xuanzang Square to start the storyline for a highly immersive experience; on Fridays and Saturdays after 10:30 PM, the west side trendy street hosts “Datang DJ Night” with ancient-style electronic music and holographic projections, perfect for young visitors. 3. Check-in Route: Explore Key Spots in 3 Hours Classic Route (North to South) 1. Dayanta North Square: Watch the 7:00 PM Asia’s largest music fountain show, a 10-minute fusion of sound, light, water, and electricity to start the night tour. 2. Poetry Lantern Street: Walk 500 meters through the pedestrian street to reach it, with Tang poetry lantern signs floating overhead. Stroll with a lantern and capture dynamic silhouettes for full atmosphere. 3. Zhenguan Governance Sculpture Group: After watching “Neon Feathered Garments,” shoot against the backlight beside the sculptures to create highly photogenic layered lighting. 4. Kaiyuan Square: Check in for “Prosperous Era Welcome” and the Roly-poly Doll performances. Tang-style shops around the square offer cultural souvenirs. 5. Dayanta South Square: End with the “Light of the Polar Night” building projection show and enjoy a distant view of the ancient pagoda at night. 4. Food Map: Local Hidden Delicacies of the Prosperous Tang Must-try Snacks in the Area - Fire Crystal Persimmon: Sold at street stalls, pierced with a straw to suck the pulp, sweet and refreshing, a signature Tang flavor. - Traditional Sour Plum Soup: Choose the authentic version in ceramic pots, thirst-quenching and perfect for photos with an ancient vibe. - Imperial Pastry: The “Tang Bing Jia” Noble Consort Cake has rich layers and makes a great souvenir gift. Nearby Treasure Shops - Chengcheng Xuebin Water Basin (Dayanta Branch): A local favorite old shop, the water basin mutton soup is fragrant and tender, paired with freshly baked crescent cakes for a perfect match, starting at 20 RMB per person. - Zhang’s Roujiamo on Ziwu Road (Cuihua Road Branch): The “king” of roujiamo, with rich braised meat flavor and crispy, crumbly bread. - Ganggang Barbecue (Xiaozhai Branch): A 30-year-old shop, skewers of salted tendon and meat tendon cost 1 RMB each, very cost-effective and reliable. - Donggengdao Desserts (Xi’an Joy City Branch): Lychee rose cheese sherbet is soft and favored by girls as a dessert choice. 5. Pitfall Warnings: Practical Tips to Avoid Detours 1. Show information is subject to the official WeChat public account’s daily announcements. Outdoor shows are canceled in rain; checking in advance avoids wasted trips. 2. Rent Hanfu outside the scenic area; shops near the Bell Tower offer lower prices and more exquisite makeup. 3. Avoid main streets crowded with popular food shops; local-frequented restaurants near Cuihua Road and Xiaozhai offer more authentic flavors without long lines. 4. Keep personal belongings safe in crowds; when wearing Hanfu, watch your skirt to avoid being stepped on. When the last ray of light brushes over the flying eaves of Dayanta and ancient music lingers in your ears, this prosperous Tang night tour will be etched into your memory. Follow this guide to catch every wonderful show and taste authentic flavors, making every step of your lantern walk a dialogue with thousand-year-old Chang’an.