Impression Westlake

Impression Westlake

Impression Westlake
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,148 reviews
Excellent
699
Very good
343
Average
89
Poor
13
Terrible
3

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Di2905
Moscow, Russia123 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Friends
An amazing show, a must see. We were there on a weekday, the show lasted 50 minutes, started at 19.30, the cheapest entrance ticket was 380 yuan per person.
Just great. at the checkout they said that on certain days there is a grand show. Photos and videos don’t convey all the beauty, so I won’t even attach them.
Google
Written May 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

no-name-entered-2014
London, UK32 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2014 • Couples
We visited this show on the second day of our stay as we wanted to experience the whole performance and the unique interaction on the water of West Lake itself. When we went to book the tickets at a sale point next to West Lake itself the sales person advised us to just go for the cheap tickets on A2 seating instead of trying to purchase VIP seating at premium price. We did accordingly and found that we had gotten seats right behind the VIP section in A2, close to the middle of the viewing area of the stage. We could see the high priced seats from a distance and it was hardly filled on the evening we visited; also the view from there seems much further away from the center of the action on the stage. When you compare the price of 260 RMB for this and the higher pricing for more premium seats I cannot but recommend the sales person suggestion (we had to book a day in advance admittedly). Note that if you go to these booths you will be interrupted every 5 minutes by someone trying to return rental agreements for the bikes around West Lake, be aware of this.

Also note that when you get the ticket from the sales booth, you will need to arrive early at the Impression West Lake site in order to exchange the ticket for a seating ticket on site. If you arrive early, you can also grab some food there; there's a KFC nearby if you want to eat western fast food or a Yang's dumplings if you're looking for eastern fast food. Bring a sweater or coat because it can get cold in the evening once the sun is down! After the performance, be aware that it is very difficult to get a cab to go back to the center of Hangzhou; we walked from Impression West Lake all the way to the major intersection before we got a cab (past the causeway, etc), past a long traffic jam. One thing you could do is arrange a cab to meet you outside of Impression West Lake or alternatively outside of the causeway (if you fancy a walk along a stretch of West Lake in moonlight) so as to avoid a longer walk.

With regards to the show itself, it was certainly an experience. You do not have to know the details about the story as the main themes are fairly standard but I suspect your enjoyment of it will be higher if you are aware of the details and are able to match it with what's done on stage. The lighting is incredible and used to great effect; expect gasps and applause from the audience as the lights go on and during various points in the show (also expect camera flashes, very amusing given the "no camera's signs plastered all over the place).

Watching the actors emote and dance over the water is amazing but I have to admit that not knowing the exact story made the episodes a bit disjointed (you can tie them together in general (boy meets girl, boy loses girl, sadness ensues etc). The spectacle of seeing them dance on the water, the lights and all the music certainly makes up for a lot however and is very entertaining. If you have a free night, want to see something extraordinary and have the ability to arrange a ticket on the go (either through hotel reception or directly at a sales booth) you could certainly visit the show, enjoy the scenery and performance and have a unique experience!
Written April 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Oylin65
Singapore, Singapore86 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2014 • Family
The sound and light show takes place in the evening, literally on the lake of the Westlake. The show take place opposite the Yuefei Temple. So you can get tickets at the ticket counter after a visit to Yuefei temple before heading somewhere else before returning in the evening for the show. Do note that the show starts only after it becomes dark and therefore has different start time for different time of the year. Do check the start time on the ticket.
Enjoy the show and be ready to be awe for surprises. The storyline of the show is loosely based on the various popular folklore from the Song dynasty. This is also where the show falls short as there are no English text for the narrative shown at the prelude. However, that do not in any way lessen the enjoyment and awe factor.
Be prepared for the large crowd dispersing from the show site, the massive traffic jam and the difficulty in getting a taxi. It is best that prior transport arrangement be made but do be clear where you like to be picked up. Alternatively, use a taxi booking apps and get a taxi.
If you are on a day trip to Hangzhou from Shanghai, check the train schedule. There should be sufficient time to get to the train station and back to Shanghai. Do buy your return train tickets in advance.
Written July 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mei Ling L
Australia4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
it is a most spectacular outdoor dance show! a must see if you are overnighting in Hangzhou! starts at 1930 and tickets are usually RMB240, but most travel agents or your hotel desk can get tickets for you for about RMB200... the venue is just opposite Shangri-la Hangzhou, or at northern end of Su Causeway... directed by Zhang Yimou, with music score by Kitaro!
Written July 21, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mwong1307
Singapore, Singapore13 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2015 • Friends
Great Show ... I will be going there to see the show for the second time, but can someone please help to confirm when will this show be available in September 2016.
Written August 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

drgreenthumb2
Los Angeles, CA45 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2015
We were in China for a month and went to so many places. We went to watch a lot of shows in China (opera, shaolin, acrobats show in Beijing, Tang dynasty in Xi'an, impression of liu sanjiein yangshuo, impression lijiang, etc...

We have also seen almost all Cirque de Soleil shows in the USA (mostly Vegas) and simply it does NOT compare to the scale. There are 3 massive monster shows in China. Impression of West Lake will be compared against other "impression" produced by famous Zhang Yimou (liu sanjie and lijiang). Impression shows are massive and "olympic" size in scale! with 500+ performers from local areas. All 3 impression shows are outdoor and west lake and liu sanjie are evening shows set on the lake. lijiang is day time show and looked a bit more flat. west lake is the closest comparison the liu sanjie. west lake is more of a love story and liu sanjie is a mix of love story and depicts hill tribe or rural china life.

this is very subjective but even though that these shows are in chinese. i was so captivated that i didnt need interpretation. it was so incredible that i didnt realize it was already an hour! and the show was ending. I have also tried showing it to my family but the videos do NOT do it justice. One of our highlights in China. It will blow your mind away. Not sure why we could not even do this show in USA?!!!

the bad: chinese people dont have manners and courtesy. they will yell on their phones and talk amongst each other before, during and after this show! they will move around different seats and up and down the aisles during the show and its quite distracting.
Written December 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MalikAdventures
London69 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2013 • Couples
At the start wow, its built up so much and the effects were great. However by the end of the third act nobody really applauded as it just fizzled out and then before we knew it the whole play was over. Very short considering people pay 250 rmb per seat for a 55 minute show tops. Wouldnt do it again but worth it for the experience I guess
Written April 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kirsten M
Newcastle, Australia386 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018
The Impression Westlake show was incredible! I have never seen anything like it. The stages underwater were amazing, the dancing was breathtaking, the music was fantastic! It might well be one of the best shows I have ever seen in my life. I would revisit Hangzhou just to see the show again! You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face all night!!
Written August 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

panamtravelkid
Los Angeles, CA287 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Friends
The show IS OPEN.

The show was well done, with beautiful dance and singing performances, lights and reflections on top of West Lake. However, be aware that the audience was filled with people who :
1. Talk loudly throughout the performances
2. Cell phones ringing and full phone conversations in the midst of the show, by many people
3. Loud singing
4. Taking flash photos and video throughout
The audience overshadowed and were louder than the loud music and the operatic singers.
It was apparent Chinese audiences consider this behavior normal, even in the best VIP seats which were RMB 680. If you don't mind this behavior, you'll love the show.
Written May 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Daniel A
Beijing, China35,001 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2015 • Friends
This was one of the events in Hangzhou I appreciated despite the Golden Week crowds. I have a few tips for you to maximize your experience. Bring a jacket and mosquito repellant. Be prepared to walk to the show and walk back because the crowds trying to get taxis are ridiculous. Expect people to walk up and leave to beat the crowdedexits before the performance is actually over. Sit and enjoy the entire show and wait for the crowds to leave. DO NOT pay for an expensive VIP seat. We sat at the cheapest section, 260 RMB, in section C, second to last row and the view was perfect. It is a waste to get the VIP seats as those seats aren’t front and center and are at an angle and run close to 1,000RMB.

The show is impressive and the actors appear to be on top of the water. Enjoy the lights because the dancing can be dull at times. My Chinese wife was bored but I was into the entire lights and sounds. The producer of the Beijing Olympic stunning pageantry is the same producer of this show but don’t expect too much as it’s not at the same level. Overall, I’d go again.
Written October 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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