Two “time travel”-themed flashmob events organized by the Shaanxi Tourism Administration will be held in Xi’an on February 25-26, 2017, with one to be staged on Muslim Street and the other at Tang Paradise Theme Park.
A different experience in Shaanxi
Themed “A different experience in Shaanxi”, the first event, entitled “Dreaming of a Return to the Time of the Tang Dynasty”, will be staged at the west gate of Tang Paradise at 9am on February 25, where 20 volunteers from China, Canada, Russia and South Korea will dress up as members of the Tang Dynasty household, including Emperor Ming of Tang and the imperial concubine Yang Guifei, alongside assorted maids and eunuchs. They have planned the arrival so it will appear as if the ancient dynasty members have popped out of nowhere and come together at Tang Paradise where they will put on a performance of the Dance of Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Dress, a famous ancient Chinese dance, followed by the much more modern shuffle dance. The combination of classical and modern styles is meant to give the audience the sense of having traveled through time.
The second flashmob event will be held on Muslim Street at 11:30am on February 26, when 20 volunteers will suddenly appear as Terracotta Warriors and interact with visitors. Soon after their discovery in the mid-1970s, the Terracotta Warriors became known as the eighth wonder of the world. The “Terracotta Warriors” will engage in a mock battle, reproducing the heroic story of Qin Shi Huang as he conquered the six other states that, at the time, made up what is now China. Following the acting out of the battle scenes, the “Warriors” will burst into a popping dance routine, emulating the street dance craze as a tribute to American singer, songwriter and dancer Michael Jackson.
The flashmob events are organized by the Shaanxi Tourism Administration. Following the events, the tourism agency will invite guests from abroad to experience the province’s traditions by joining a Shaanxi culture-themed tour. The tour will include stops at history-rich destinations, among them, the Shaanxi History Museum, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Bell and Drum Towers. Volunteers from several countries have agreed to share their experiences in Shaanxi through international social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, showcasing in their own words the wonders of the province of Shaanxi, home to many of the key elements that have given Chinese history, tradition and culture its richness and importance in the pantheon of the world’s civilizations.
For more information about the Shaanxi flashmob events, please visit the Shaanxi Tourism Administration’s official Facebook and YouTube pages.
These historical figures will be reproduced at the two “time travel”-themed flashmob events organized by Shaanxi Province in a move to promote culture exchanges between China and other countries. Robert Anspach, a volunteer from Canada, said, “With only a few days left, I’m very excited about my opportunity to have an extraordinary experience in the role of a Terracotta Warrior.”
Following the two flashmob events, the organizer will present gifts to onlookers. The lucky recipients will be invited to join staff from the Shaanxi Tourism Administration as an “embed” as they move around the city.
If you are curious about Shaanxi and its long and rich history, go to the flashmob events. The experience is sure to be a lasting memory that you will cherish.
