After spending 12 hours in Xiangyang Tang City, I finally understood what a "Living Tang Dynasty" truly means

When the morning light spreads over the 108-meter-high Zhuque Gate, the "Martial Marquis" clad in bright armor march in formation along the stone-paved road, the sound of hooves resonating with the morning bell—this is not a special effect from the film "Legend of the Demon Cat," but the daily time-travel prelude performed at Xiangyang Tang City. This Tang Dynasty-themed film base hidden in the heart of Central China holds a more vivid Tang Dynasty daily life than what the camera can capture, waiting for you to unlock in an immersive way.

Before You Go: Tips and Preparation

Tickets and Timing

- Ticket options: Day tickets cost about 80-90 RMB (8:30 AM - 5:30 PM), perfect for savoring architectural details and hands-on experiences; night tickets are around 120 RMB (5:30 PM - 10:00 PM), with the light show and night performances being the highlight. The full-day pass at 150 RMB is highly recommended—entering at 4 PM lets you catch the sunset over vermilion walls and black tiles, plus enjoy the night scenes and shows, offering great value.
- Special periods: On holidays, the closing time may extend to midnight with added fireworks shows. For example, during the 10th anniversary celebration, there were two fireworks shows daily. Check the latest schedule before your visit.

Transportation and Gear

- External transport: A taxi from Xiangyang East Station costs about 20 RMB and takes 15 minutes directly to the site, or take bus routes 1, 13, etc., which go straight to the attraction. Don’t trust roadside offers to "guide you to parking lots"; official parking costs 10 RMB/day and is more reliable.
- Internal mobility: The site is large, with daily steps exceeding 20,000. Renting an electric scooter for 50 RMB/hour can save energy. Wearing sneakers is a must.
- Must-bring list: ID card (required for ticket check), high-SPF sunscreen, some cash (some small shops only accept cash). Photography enthusiasts are advised to bring a wide-angle lens for full architectural panoramas.

Core Activities: Immersive Experience from Day to Night

Daytime Stroll: Unlock Film Scenes and Tang Dynasty Elegance

1. Architectural Exploration: Enter through Mingde Gate, pass the grand Zhuque Corridor, and check in at the Rainbow Bridge featured in "Legend of the Demon Cat." The lake reflects flying eaves and red lanterns; silhouettes taken in the slanting noon sun are stunning. Inside the Hu Yu Building, you can watch pipa dance performances; the second floor balcony offers panoramic views. The majestic Xuanzheng Hall is perfect for powerful photo shots.
2. Film Secrets: Cosplay as a character in the "Crown Prince’s Study," a filming location for "The Long Ballad," check in at the Rainbow Bridge used in "Joy of Life," and if lucky, you might encounter a film crew shooting scenes or even be recruited as an extra to swap a bowl of lamb paomo.
3. Traditional Experiences: The East Market offers ancient games like touhu (pitch-pot) and archery. The Tang City Art Museum displays authentic Tang Dynasty pottery figurines; a macro lens can capture exquisite painted details. The giant bronze-cast Xiangyang City at Xianshan Cultural Square is free to visit. Wearing Hanfu for photos here greatly enhances the atmosphere.

Night Highlights: Tang Dynasty Revelry of Lights and Performances

1. Light Feast: When a thousand palace lanterns light up Zhuque Street, shooting with a 0.5x wide-angle lens can produce movie-poster-level photos. The 3D light show at Mingde Gate, synchronized with music, vividly portrays the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.
2. Performance Schedule: At 8:10 PM, watch "Mingde Victory Song" at Mingde Gate; at 8:50 PM, see "Zhuque Displays National Might" at Jinshui Bridge; at 9:25 PM, enjoy "Dream Seeking at Hu Yu Building" at West Market; the grand finale fireworks at 9:38 PM is breathtaking—arrive early to secure a good spot.
3. Immersive Interaction: Wear Hanfu to join the "Night Tour of Chang’an," learn to bow and greet from NPCs, and if lucky, watch the "Courtesan Parade." West Market at night features acrobatics, shadow puppetry, and the dazzling spectacle of iron flower forging.

Tang Dynasty Flavors: Must-Try Foods and What to Avoid

Must-Try Delicacies

- Shui Pen Lamb: 38 RMB per bowl, made with lamb bone broth, served with crescent-shaped flatbread to soak up the soup—delicious beyond words.
- Xiangyang Specialties: Deng’s Beef Brisket Noodles with yellow wine for 15 RMB is filling; Lao Xie’s sour vegetable noodles with marinated tofu for 10 RMB whets the appetite; Chen’s brown sugar guokui (baked flatbread) at 3 RMB each bursts with sweet flavor.
- Hidden Gems: The film set snack shop sells sesame cakes for 5 RMB, with sesame aroma mixed with Sichuan pepper powder that gets more fragrant the more you chew; the 10 RMB persimmon pancake is crispy outside and sticky inside, sweet enough to make your heart tremble.

Avoid These

The "handmade dragon beard candy" sold in the park is overpriced; supermarket bags at 10 RMB are more authentic. Some snack stalls charge inflated prices; the old shops in East and West Markets are more trustworthy.

Accommodation and Surroundings: Extend Your Tang Dynasty Experience

- On-site lodging: "Changlefang Inn" costs 680 RMB/night, modeled after Tang Dynasty courtyards with private hot springs. The butler serves freshly cooked almond tofu, and late at night you can see the film base’s searchlights like the lights of Chang’an night market from the balcony.
- Nearby attractions: Across the street, Xijia Pool is a free Han Dynasty garden with a tranquil bamboo forest perfect for rest; at Xiangyang Ancient City’s Han Gate, you can view the Han River, and Zhang’s Beef Noodles on North Street is a local secret recommendation.

From the Zhuque Gate bathed in morning light to the fireworks showering the night sky, the charm of Tang City is not just in the replicated buildings but in the genuine Tang Dynasty atmosphere you can touch—holding a sesame cake, chasing performances. Here, every corner may bring a surprise, and every light tells a thousand-year story.