​Premium performances boost festive consumption

Tourism consumption in Xi'an boomed during this year's Spring Festival holiday from Feb 15 to 23, driven by two premium performances —The Song of Everlasting Sorrowand12·12 Xi'an Incident.

By 7 am, the crew of12·12 Xi'an Incidentis already in place, ready to stage the first performance of the day. During the holiday, the show is staged up to 12 times a day, a 50 percent increase compared with last year, with a daily schedule spanning 16 hours, posing tremendous physical and mental challenges for all involved.

"This year, the theater has expanded its seating to nearly 1,000 seats," said Liang Peng, who plays an important role in the show. "The audience's immersive shouts, together with the positive reviews online, have all made us feel how influential this high-quality theatrical production is. I feel very proud to perform in this revolutionary-themed show."

At 11:30 pm, the fourth performance ofThe Song of Everlasting Sorrowis about to begin. With daily four consecutive performances during the Spring Festival holiday that sell out almost every show, it is a test of both physical strength and willpower. Actress Yan Xiao, who has spent her eighth Spring Festival withThe Song of Everlasting Sorrow, said, "The moment I step onto the stage, seeing the eager eyes of the audience and hearing the applause of the crowd — everything is worthwhile."

High-quality cultural content is not only a powerful magnet for attracting visitors but also a driver of consumption growth. Surrounding catering and accommodations have boomed, with many hotels and homestays fully booked throughout the holiday.