Impression Liu Sanjie is China's first large‑scale open‑air landscape performance. It was co‑directed by Zhang Yimou, Wang Chaoge, and Fan Yue, and premiered in 2004 at the Li River Theater in Yangshuo, Guilin. As the inaugural production of the "Impression" series, it set a new standard for live performances in natural settings. The show uses a 2‑kilometer stretch of the Li River as its stage and 12 towering karst peaks as its natural backdrop, with over 600 local performers taking part. The performance lasts approximately 70 minutes. Rather than following a continuous storyline, it draws inspiration from the legend of Liu Sanjie, using folk songs, fishing lights, bamboo rafts, and ethnic dances to create a vivid, impressionistic portrayal of the customs and daily life of Guangxi's Zhuang, Yao, Miao, and Dong peoples. Each performance is unique, as the changing weather and natural light create a different atmosphere every evening.