Published on Nov 7, 2026

Rating:

Genre: NCPA

Dates: December 17-22, 2026

Times: 7:00pm

Venue: Opera House of NCPA

Prices: 100, 180, 280, 380, 460, 520, 580, 680

Features: A co-produced prodution by the NCPA and the Central Academy of Drama, the dance drama commission XU Xiake will be performing at Opera House of NCPA from DEcember 17th-22nd, 2026.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

XU Xiake is a dance drama commission co-produced by the NCPA and the Central Academy of Drama in 2026. Inspired by the extraordinary life of XU Xiake, the renowned geographer and traveler of the Ming dynasty, the production draws on his celebrated travelogue, The Travel Diaries of XU Xiake, a work of enduring geographical, historical and literary significance. Through dance, it brings to life the remarkable journey and adventurous spirit of this extraordinary figure, who pursued his dreams with the conviction that “a true man should set his sights on the blue sea at dawn and the vast mountains by dusk.”

In 2011, May 19th—the date marking the opening of The Travel Diaries of XU Xiake—was officially designated as China Tourism Day. Since then, landmarks commemorating XU Xiake’s travel routes have been established across the country. A pioneer of backpackers, XU Xiake has found a new place in contemporary life as a cultural tourism icon, embodying China’s enduring spirit of exploration and its rich tradition of travel.

The creation of the dance drama XU Xiake seeks to bring this cultural legacy to life through the performing arts. It transforms the traveler’s footsteps, once preserved in books and traced along ancient routes, into a vivid physical narrative that audiences can see and feel.

Guided by the creative philosophy of “using the land as paper and the body as brush,” the production seeks to carry the spirit of exploration into the present day. It weaves together realism, romanticism and expressionism, alternating between realistic storytelling and evocative, symbolic spaces to create dynamic dramatic tension through dance. In doing so, it develops a distinctive dance-theatre language that combines raw physical power with contemporary aesthetics, conveying the enduring strength of perseverance and the pursuit of truth and discovery.

The first round of production in 2026 offers a fresh interpretation of XU Xiake’s spirit, exploring its resonance and relevance in our time.

Tickets for Dance Drama XU Xiake are Available now!