LOS ANGELES: A mesmerising Chinese poetic dance performance transformed the stage of the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles into a living painting, leaving an audience of over 2,000 spellbound.
Bathed in shades of green and blue, the show evoked the delicate beauty of traditional Chinese art through modern choreography and storytelling.
Titled The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting, the dance is inspired by Wang Ximeng’s 12th-century masterpiece A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains.
The artwork, considered one of the most important pieces in Chinese fine art history, vividly captures the natural beauty and daily life of the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127). The original painting is housed at the Palace Museum in Beijing.
The performance tells the story of a contemporary researcher at the Palace Museum who imagines travelling back more than 900 years to witness the artistic journey of the young prodigy Wang Ximeng.
Through a seamless blend of ancient aesthetics and modern stagecraft, the production explores how cultural heritage endures and evolves across time.
Presented by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group, the performance marks the third stop of its 2025 North American tour, following earlier shows in Vancouver and Seattle.
The company first brought the dance to American audiences in 2024, where it was acclaimed.
Jackson Yee’s Chinese-style stage performance is absolutely breathtaking. ✨ When an artist truly loves the stage, masters dance, and deeply embraces their culture — the beauty radiates from within, and it’s irresistible. #JacksonYee #ChineseAesthetics #CulturalPride #StageArt pic.twitter.com/QStCqFKHDq
— Chris Bear (@ChrisBe45079840) August 5, 2025
Speaking to Xinhua, Zhang Lei, Deputy General Manager of the China Oriental Performing Arts Group, said it was of “special significance to bring this classic Chinese poetic dance to North America for the second time.”
“I’m truly glad to see that many international audience members can understand and emotionally connect with it,” Zhang remarked.
“We hope to continue sharing the beauty of Chinese culture through performances like this.”
The tour, Zhang noted, aims to deepen cultural ties and foster mutual understanding between civilisations through the universal language of art.
Since its debut in Beijing in August 2021, The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting has become a cultural phenomenon in China, having been staged more than 740 times across over 70 cities.
The success of the show also inspired a film adaptation and a symphony concert, both released in October 2024.
