Impression West Lake "Enduring Memories of Hangzhou" is a large-scale live performance on the water of West Lake in Hangzhou. Its predecessor was "Impression West Lake," a work in the "Impression Series" co-directed by Zhang Yimou, Wang Chaoge, and Fan Yue. Since its premiere in 2007, it has been staged long-term on the waters of Yue Lake; during the 2016 G20 Hangzhou Summit, Zhang Yimou upgraded and created "Enduring Memories of Hangzhou" based on the original work. Since then, this upgraded version has become a regular performance in the night scenery of Yue Lake, with its name taken from the line "Jiangnan yi, zui yi shi Hangzhou" (Of all the memories of Jiangnan, Hangzhou is the most memorable) in Bai Juyi's poem "Recalling Jiangnan."
What makes this performance special is that it moves an entire symphonic concert onto the lake: the stage is hidden a few cm beneath the surface of Yuehu Lake, so performers appear to walk on water as they enter, while water screens, lighting, and holographic projections turn the lake surface into a flowing picture, with distant mountains, embankments, and the night sky all serving as natural scenery. The performance blends symphony, Yue opera, guqin and cello duets, ballet, group dance, and other forms, with famous Chinese and foreign pieces such as "Spring River in the Flower Moon Night," "Tea-Picking Dance Tune," "High Mountains and Flowing Water," "Swan Lake," "Unforgettable Jasmine Flower," and "Ode to Joy" taking turns on stage; among them, the love legend of "Butterfly Lovers" performed jointly through Yue opera and dance is a segment that left a deep impression on many audience members after the show.
The audience seating is an open-air terraced stand facing the lake. There is no dialogue or narration throughout—the story is conveyed entirely through music, lighting, and movement, so even those who do not understand Chinese can be captivated. After nightfall, it gets noticeably chilly by the lake, so remember to bring an extra jacket before the show; after it ends, a stroll along the lake to the nearby Su Causeway area is a perfect way to fold the West Lake's night scenery into your itinerary.











