A performer dressed as Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Li Bai grips a wine pot in one hand, his voice rising and falling as he chants classic verses.
Yalmaz Muhammad, draped in flowing hanfu (traditional Chinese attire), leans in eagerly, his eyes glued to every gesture of the poet. He hangs on every word and quietly murmurs the lines along with the performer.
"Although I don't fully understand every word, the verses sound melodic and enchanting. I can truly sense the talent and romance of this legendary poet," said Muhammad, a student from Pakistan studying at Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine.
His time travel to the Tang Dynasty was made possible at the "Longest Day in Chang'an" attraction, a scenic area of Xi'an in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, inspired by the hit Chinese historical suspense drama The Longest Day in Chang'an, which traces a life-or-death race against time within a single day in the imperial capital.
In ancient China, a full day was not measured in 24 hours, but in 12 shichen — each stretching two hours and bearing poetic names like zishi (the hour of the rat) or wushi (the hour of the horse). The drama uses this ancient clock to build breathless tension, and the scenic area re-creates that very world, allowing participants to wander through streets where every shichen seems to hold a secret.
Once a shopping mall within walking distance of the city's landmark Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the site has been transformed into an immersive attraction that vividly re-creates the bustling street life of the Tang Dynasty.
"I'm excited to learn so many new and in-depth pieces of knowledge about the Tang Dynasty's rich history and culture from the tour guide," Muhammad said. "You can really sense just how prosperous and powerful the Tang Dynasty was."
His classmate and compatriot, Amina Ismail, echoed the sentiment.
"Before this, Chinese culture only existed for me in books and online videos, and it felt distant. But here, it's alive," she said. "When I put on hanfu, with its unique colors, wide flowing sleeves and embroidered patterns, surrounded by Tang-style buildings and others also dressed in ancient costumes, I truly feel like I've traveled back to Chang'an."
Ismail was especially impressed by a dance performance that portrayed Chang'an as a cosmopolitan capital, with diplomatic envoys from various countries visiting the Tang court.
"Performers in elaborate costumes walked right past me, greeting me with warm smiles. The music was majestic, the dance moves so graceful," she said.
Muhammad also tried touhu — an ancient Chinese game that involves throwing arrows into a pot.
"It requires steady aim and great patience. To my surprise, I managed to get the arrow into the pot twice," he said.
The fun doesn't stop there. Tourists can earn vouchers designed to look like ancient Chinese paper money through games and interactions, then redeem them for souvenirs.
For those who prefer a more hands-on cultural experience, there are shadow puppetry shows to watch and intangible cultural heritage workshops to try.
As night falls and red lanterns glow amid the antique architecture, melodic notes of traditional Chinese instruments drift through the air.
In March, the scenic area upgraded its performances, scenery and technology. Humanoid robots dressed in traditional costumes offer tour guidance and explanations, and interact with visitors through poetry recitals.
"Technology serves as a tool, while culture is the soul. We use holographic projections, virtual reality and other technologies to bring Tang culture to life. We want to turn visitors from onlookers into active participants," said Lai Sha, marketing director of the scenic area.
Statistics show that the scenic area has received more than 80,000 overseas visitors so far, with a 230 percent year-on-year increase, and hanfu travel photography has become a popular activity among inbound tourists visiting Xi'an.
