This is not one of those shows with a storyline. It’s more like a variety show with individual set pieces, bits of acrobats, circus, song and dance, perfectly random (bundled together as a regional cultural extravaganza). Some of the acts are perfectly legitimate and impressive (albeit disappointed by the lack of effort to string them together). But they are the minority. It degraded as it progresses. Zombies? Checked. Flying daggers? Checked. Men lying on broken porcelain and nails on their backs? Checked. Body supporting huge weights and then getting men (and women) to stand on time to prove the point? Audience participation on stage for some cheesy entertainment? Man walking on a gigantic knife? Yes that too. They even got an award winning calligrapher to peddle his work for 300rmb each, to whoever who wants a piece. Pure commercialization. It gives the fronting director Feng a bad name. At the end of the day, I guess there are people who enjoy and cheer for crass performances. We didn’t. My recommendation is to give the show meant for local tourists a miss. Then again it’s to the eye of the beholder. I’ve attached the “best bits” of the show, so you won’t be missing anything if you give it a miss.

This show can be skipped but if you want some entertainment for a night in Zhangjiajie is worth a watch. Acrobatics were awesome although some other parts are more artificial and some can even feel a little ridiculous for a person not related with local entertainment.