Xuyan Shanghai Immersive Tang Dynasty Banquet Review: The Most Unforgettable Evening in China

There are experiences that stay with you long after the trip ends. Xuyan is one of them.

I booked the Xuyan Shanghai immersive Tang Dynasty banquet without really knowing what to expect, just that it sounded extraordinary and unlike anything I’d done before. After my experience if renting a traditional hanbok in South Korea, I imagined this to be as much fun.

I was right on both counts. If you’re visiting Shanghai and you only have a handful of afternoons to fill with something genuinely memorable, this is one of the first things I’d put on the list.

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What is Xuyan?

Xuyan (叙宴) is an immersive dining experience set in the Tang Dynasty, one of the most celebrated periods of ancient Chinese history. The name comes from the words for “narration” and “reminiscing,” and the concept is exactly that: a re-experience of imperial court life through food, performance, costume and ceremony.

From the moment you arrive, you’re transported. The venue is elaborately decorated in Tang Dynasty style, the staff are dressed in period costume, and the performances that run throughout the meal cover everything from traditional dance and live music on ancient instruments including the guzheng and pipa, to choreographed court ceremonies and storytelling.

Every element is designed to make you feel less like a tourist watching a show, and more like a guest at an actual imperial banquet.

There are two show themes at the Shanghai Flagship Store: Chang’an Fu (Chang’an Ode) and All Nations Paying Tribute. Both cover the Tang Dynasty period but tell different stories. Check which is running on your date when you book and choose accordingly.

The costume experience- should you book it?

This is a big part of what makes Xuyan different from a regular dinner show, and worth planning for properly.

I booked the clothing-only option when I made my reservation and I thought it’s not really necessary to also have hair and make up included. When I arrived and saw the other guests who had added hair and makeup (the full transformation into Tang Dynasty court style) and I wished I’d done the same. Many of the guests were Chinese, so I guess locals love this experience too. Actually, the outfit did not look as nice with my hair down.

So I paid for it on the spot. It was worth every extra yuan, but I’d have saved money booking it in advance through the package rather than adding it at the door. Do yourself a favour and book the full package upfront.

What’s included in the costume option: a wide selection of Tang Dynasty hanfu robes, headpieces, accessories including fans and decorative capes (first-come, first-served for accessories, so arrive early). The costumes are genuinely beautiful, this is not a rack of generic fancy dress. There’s real variety in style and colour.

There’s plenty to choose from and I wished I could go through all the costumes slowly. Unfortunately, it felt a little bit rushed as the staff member walked with me and seemed inpatient…but I’ve experienced lack of patience in many places in China, so I guess it’s just normal and not rude.

What the makeup add-on involves: professional stylists do your hair and apply Tang Dynasty court makeup, including decorative rhinestones and face details that match the era.

Bring reference photos of the style you’d like, the stylists work faster with a visual reference, and they won’t always ask for your input if you don’t offer it. They didn’t ask me anything though and did the make-up however they wanted. I was ok with it.

The makeup is traditional court style, not everyday makeup, so expect something more dramatic and elaborate than you might be used to. The only thing I didn’t like that much was that it wasn’t clear to me whether the make-up brushes and other tools were cleaned after each person.

• Costume rental: 100 CNY.
• Makeup: 188 CNY.
• Both together: 288 CNY. Booking both as a package through Klook is cheaper than adding makeup at the door.
• Photography is also available as an add-on if you’d like: a professional photographer takes shots at three designated locations within the venue, 20 shots total, with 3 retouched photos included. If photos are important to you, book this too. The venue is stunning and the lighting is theatrical, it’s one of the better photography setups I’ve seen at an experience like this.

The show

The performance runs approximately 80 to 90 minutes and is woven throughout the meal. Court ceremonies, dance performances, live music, dramatic lighting and occasional interactive moments between performers and guests fill the evening.

Xuyan has 4.6/5 from 487 reviews and over 20,000 bookings, which tells you everything about how consistently it delivers. Book on Klook from €53.90

The performances are genuinely excellent. I say this having arrived slightly sceptical about whether an experience designed partly for tourists could still feel authentic. It does. The performers are professional and clearly skilled, the costumes and staging are exceptional, and the atmosphere in the hall, filled with guests in full period dress eating from elaborate place settings while a court unfolds around them, creates something I genuinely couldn’t have imagined before being in the middle of it.

One thing I’d change if I could: the pacing felt slightly rushed at times. Dishes were being cleared while I was still eating, and I wished the whole evening had been given another 30 minutes to breathe.

The food

I went in expecting the food to be secondary to the experience. It wasn’t. The multi-course imperial banquet menu was really good- well presented, varied, and tasty throughout. VIP and SVIP seats include premium additions like whole crab, so the seat tier you choose affects the menu as well as the view. But I cannot comment on that since I booked a standard option.

How to book

• Step 1: Buy your voucher on Klook from US$58.79. Select your experience type (Chang’an Fu or All Nations Paying Tribute), meal slot (lunch or dinner), seat tier (Standard, VIP or SVIP), and add-ons (clothing, makeup, photography).
• Step 2: After purchasing, you must separately reserve your time slot directly with the restaurant via WeChat mini-program or by email (they will give you all the details and instructions). Reservations open only 14 days in advance (updated every Monday, I believe), so keep an eye on the calendar. Provide your Klook order number, city, name, dining date, guest count and voucher QR code when making the reservation.
• Step 3: Arrive early. At least 90 minutes before your show if you’ve booked makeup, since styling runs on a first-come, first-served basis and the queue can be long even if you arrive at the recommended time. Earlier is better.
• One important note from the Klook listing: this is a pre-sale voucher. Due to high demand, contact the restaurant at least 3 days in advance to confirm your table reservation after purchase. Once reserved, the order becomes non-refundable.

Practical information

Address: Honghui Vision BOX, 1700 Pingxingguan Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai

• How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Wenshui Road Station, Exit 2. From there it’s approximately a 13 to 14 minute walk to the venue. It’s not a particularly central location by Shanghai tourist standards, so factor in the journey time both ways when planning your day. It’s absolutely worth the commute, but don’t underestimate it. I got a bit lost after exiting the metro and lost some time trying to figure out where to go.
• Price: From US$58.79 / approximately €53.90 on Klook for standard seat with no add-ons. Costume rental adds 100 CNY, makeup adds 188 CNY, both together 288 CNY. VIP and SVIP seats cost more and include better views and premium menu additions. I wouldn’t really do it for the seats as the view seemed fine from most spots. I sat a bit at the back and could see everything perfectly. When it comes to food, I am not sure how different the prices option would be.
• Show duration: Approximately 80 to 90 minutes..
• Languages: The performance is in Chinese with projected translations on the wall. Staff do not generally speak English, so a translation app is useful for communicating with stylists about makeup preferences.
• What to wear: The venue recommends wearing the hanfu costume for the banquet, which is the whole point, but it is not compulsory. For footwear, wear closed-toe shoes, open-toed footwear doesn’t work with the costumes.

Is Xuyan worth it?

In my opinion, yes, without reservation. It’s one of the most unique, genuinely memorable experiences I had in China, and China gave me a lot of memorable experiences. There’s nothing quite like sitting in a Tang Dynasty banquet hall in full imperial court dress watching professional performers bring a thousand-year-old culture to life while eating an excellent multi-course meal.

The logistics require a bit of planning (the WeChat booking, the distance, arriving early for makeup), and the pacing could be more relaxed. But those are minor complaints against an evening that stays with you in a way that most tourist activities simply don’t.

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