Immersive dance show revitalizes Taoist culture on Laojun Mountain

As a sanctuary of Taoism, Laojun Mountain in Luanchuan, Henan Province attracts crowds of visitors and pilgrims every year for its picturesque scenery and magnificent Taoist temple complex. Now, the scenic area has added another treat for its visitors, one that allows them to experience the charm of the millennia-old Taoist culture in an immersive way.

Created by the Laojun Mountain scenic area working with a leading company in the digital and creative industry, "Perception · Laojun Mountain," is the first show of its kind in China to present the thoughts of Laozi, the founder of Taoism, through the language of stage art.

Each day, the immersive dance show is staged at a theater on the peak of Laojun Mountain that stands at an altitude of 2,217 meters. On a stage shaped like a bagua, the eight diagrams of Taoism, the director of the show creates a fantasy world using digital technologies such as holography, naked-eye 3D, 8K ultra-high-definition video and 4D dynamic imaging. Accompanied by a mix of Chinese folk music and modern digital music, dancers portray a man's struggles in life and his quest for "Tao" or "Dao," a core concept of Taoism, which means "the way of the universe."

Featuring exquisite stage design, elegant dance moves and poetic language, the dance show offers audiences an immersive experience to help them absorb and understand the rich connotations of Taoism.

The performance has become a must-see for many tourists visiting Laojun Mountain. In March, the show was listed in the first batch of pilot units for cultivating new spaces for immersive experiences in smart tourism by China's top cultural and tourism authority.