T Recreating the grace of the Tang Dynasty

Top: Fourteen dancers from the Zhengzhou Song and Dance Theatre perform the dance show “Night Banquet in a Tang Dynasty Palace,” or “Tang Gong Ye Yan,” during the recording of

Henan TV’s Lantern Festival Gala on Saturday. The show tells the story of a group of female artists performing at a banquet in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). It went viral after its debut at the Henan Spring Festival Gala. To make themselves look more like chubby Tang residents, the dancers wear jumpsuits filled with sponge and put special cotton inside their mouths.

Bottom: Tang Dynasty pottery figurines displayed at the

Henan Museum. — Xinhua

The exhibition uses modern 3D scanning and printing technology to faithfully reproduce statuary and other relics from the caves. Cave 12, also known as the Music Cave, was carved in the 5th century, with rich images of heavenly figures and musical instruments from home and abroad. These figures represented the earliest royal symphony orchestra in ancient China and played a vital role in the history of Chinese music and dance. Meanwhile, artworks by modern artists inspired by the Yungang Grottoes are also on show.

Date: Through March 28 (closed on Mondays), 10am-6pm

Two hours away from Shanghai by high-speed rail lies Xiangshan County in neighboring Zhejiang Province. Three tourist itineraries are designed for independent travelers, which string attractions such as Xiangshan Global Studios, a film production site based in the county, East China Sea Banbianshan Tourism Resort, Shipu Port and Yueyawan Hot Spring. Call 136-3660-1641 for accommodation details and insurance policy.

How to get there: Trains are available from Shanghai to Ningbo on the date specified. If you drive, take the Hangzhou Bay Bridge and get off at Yuyao Exit.