Datang Everbright City 大唐不夜城Dàtáng Bùyèchéng

Why go to Datang Everbright City

Stretching south from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda to the line of the old Tang city wall, Datang Everbright City is a modern pedestrian avenue first opened in 2009, a Tang-themed showpiece rather than a historic site. After dark its Tang-style buildings light up and costumed dancers, musicians and parades fill the street; walk south from the pagoda past sculpture groups of Tang emperors, the Shaanxi Grand Theatre and the Xi'an Concert Hall to Kaiyuan Square.

The story

The Chinese name means roughly 'the Great Tang city that never sleeps', yet Tang Chang'an itself was strict about the night: at the evening drums the city and ward gates were shut, and anyone caught out after dark could be beaten. The curfew was lifted for three nights around the Lantern Festival, when crowds came out to see the lanterns.

What to see at Datang Everbright City

• Xuanzang Square 玄奘广场: At the northern end by the pagoda, a plaza with a statue of the monk and water features.
• Zhenguan Square 贞观广场: A large statue of Emperor Taizong on horseback stands at the centre of the plaza, beside a monument inscribed with the words 'Zhenguan zhi zhi'.
• Kaiyuan Shengshi sculptures 开元盛世群雕: One of the sculpture groups along the axis, evoking the Kaiyuan era of Emperor Xuanzong.
• Shaanxi Grand Theatre and Xi'an Concert Hall 陕西大剧院与西安音乐厅: Two modern performance venues along the avenue, worth a look for their Tang-inspired architecture even if you are not going in.

How to visit Datang Everbright City

Begin at the pagoda's North Square for the fountain show at dusk, then walk south down the avenue, roughly 2 km long. Pick a time to be in the street for evening lights, and expect to spend an hour or two. Avoid trying to cross at peak times on holidays, when the crowds slow everything down.

How to get to Datang Everbright City

Dayanta station (Lines 3 and 4) is just north of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, about 15 minutes' walk from the top of the avenue; Datangbuyecheng station on Line 8 is about 10 minutes' walk south of its southern end. A taxi from the Bell Tower takes about 20–30 minutes.

Where to stay

Stay in the Yanta district around the avenue so you can walk back after the evening crowds, or in the Qujiang area to the east.

What to eat

• Roujiamo 肉夹馍: Braised pork in a crisp flatbread; a stall favourite around the avenue.
• Liangpi 凉皮: Cold noodle 'skins' in chilli oil and vinegar, a Xi'an summer snack.
• Zenggao 甑糕: A sweet steamed rice cake with dates, common at Xi'an stalls.

Tips for visiting Datang Everbright City

• Come after dark: the lights and most of the street shows are in the evening, though the programme changes with the season and the weather.
• Weekday evenings are calmer; at weekends and on public holidays the avenue can be packed.
• Shops and studios nearby rent Hanfu (traditional Han Chinese dress) if you want to dress up for photos.

Nearby

• Big Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔 under 10 km
  A Tang-dynasty pagoda built for scriptures a monk carried home from India
• Shaanxi History Museum 陕西历史博物馆 under 10 km
  Tang gold and silver, original tomb murals and finds from Shaanxi's Zhou, Qin and Han past
• Small Wild Goose Pagoda 小雁塔 under 10 km
  A slender Tang brick pagoda, cracked by earthquakes, in the grounds of the Xi'an Museum
• Xi'an City Wall 西安城墙 under 10 km
  Cycle all 14 km of a Ming city wall, high above Xi'an's rooftops
• Forest of Stone Steles Museum 西安碑林博物馆 under 10 km
  Inscribed stone tablets of classics, calligraphy and Silk Road history by the south wall
• Bell Tower and Drum Tower 钟楼·鼓楼 under 10 km
  Two Ming towers at the heart of the walled city, where bell and drum once marked the day

Also within 30 km: Qujiang Polar Ocean Park 曲江海洋极地公园 (under 10 km), Tang Altar of Heaven (Tiantan Heritage Park) 唐天坛 (under 10 km), Shaanxi Natural History Museum 陕西自然博物馆 (under 10 km), Qinglong Temple 青龙寺 (under 10 km), Xi'an Incident Memorial Hall 西安事变纪念馆 (under 10 km), Yisushe Theatre 易俗社剧场 (under 10 km).

On the map

Open Datang Everbright City on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Learn more

• Wikipedia
• Wikipedia (Chinese)