Zhang Yimou's "Impression Dahongpao"

The fifth installment of renowned director Zhang Yimou's "Impression" series, the spectacle of "Impression Dahongpao" was debuted recently at Wuyi Mountain in Fujian Province. The show, which is scheduled to officially open on March 2nd, highlights the splendid scenery of Wuyi Mountain and its rich tea culture.

"Impression Dahongpao's" stage covers nearly one hectare. With a budget of 200 million yuan, or more than 29 million US dollars, the 70-minute show boasts a 360-degree angle setting and seating capacity of two thousand.

"Impression Dahongpao"

Elements of traditional stone and woodcarvings, residential housing, and the architectural style of Wuyi Mountain have been combined in the stage design.

The show, set in a tea park, projects the appearance of a giant teahouse, with waitresses dressed in traditional folk costumes serving Dahongpao, or Red Robe Tea, a Wuyi Mountain specialty with the reputation as China's "tea king".

Wang Chaoge, one of the general directors, said, "Tea is the essential aspect of the spectacle. What we are willing to tell people is that the quality of tea and the way we drink it is not important at all. What it matters is the mood we have when we drink. If you have the appropriate feeling, you are able to enter the space of zen and dispel the hustle and bustle urban life. Through the performance, we ask people to pursue peace and enjoy life."

The idea is split into five chapters, and most of the performers are Wuyi Mountain locals.

Zhang Yimou launched his Impression series with "Impression Sister Liu" in 2003, which is still running in Guizhou. He continued the series with "Impression Lijiang" in 2006 and "Impression West Lake in 2007.