What happens when 700 performers take the stage in Tibet?

MANILA, Philippines —  Visiting Tibet (Xizang), China, has always been on my bucket list. When I had the opportunity to be one of the 98 participants in the 2026 China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) Program, I was really hoping it would be part of the itinerary.

Luckily, it was. From seeing the beauty of Tibet (Xizang) on TikTok and Instagram to finally exploring Nyingchi and Lhasa last July, I thought the experience was more than enough. But I guess I was wrong.

Little did the rest of the Asia-Pacific participants and I know that the best was yet to come. On the last day of our five-day visit, we witnessed the most spectacular show — a nighttime outdoor opera that showcases the cultural legacy of Princess Wencheng.

It is a 90-minute, large-scale historical opera staged outdoors in Lhasa, Tibet (Xizang). The live-action performance features a massive ensemble of 700 to 800 performers and combines music, dance, drama and breathtaking stage effects to tell a story deeply connected to Tibetan history and heritage.

First premiered in 2013, it tells the story of the historic journey in 641 of Tang Dynasty Princess Wencheng from Chang’an to Lhasa to marry Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. The production is staged in a vast open-air theater against the natural backdrop of mountains, utilizing high-tech lighting, moving stages that mimic the Potala Palace, simulated snowfall and grand audiovisual effects.

re able to stage such a massive outdoor production.

When I asked two participants in the group, here were their reactions after watching the outdoor opera for the first time.

Moiz Farooq, executive editor at Pakistan Economic Net and Daily Ittehad Media Group:

“Watching the Princess Wencheng drama live in Lhasa was honestly one of the most memorable parts of my visit. I had heard about the performance before, but seeing it in person was completely different.

“The scale of the production, the music, traditional costumes, lighting, stage design and the overall atmosphere were extremely impressive. I really enjoyed how the story was presented in such a powerful and engaging way. Sitting there and watching hundreds of performers bring history to life made me realize how much effort goes into preserving and presenting local culture in a way that people from different parts of the world can understand and appreciate.

“What surprised me the most was learning that around 800 people from the local village are involved in performing the show every night. I genuinely did not expect that. It made the experience even more special because you realize that this is not simply a large stage production, it is something in which the local community is deeply involved.

“For me, that gave the performance a very different feeling. It showed how history, culture and tourism can come together while also creating opportunities for local people. I left the show genuinely impressed, and it is certainly one of those experiences from Lhasa that I will remember for a very long time.”

Siti Zanariah Nor Zin, journalist at the Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA):

“I think the Princess Wencheng performance was one of the most memorable experiences I had in Lhasa. What really impressed me was how they managed to bring history and culture to life through music, dance, costumes and the whole visual production.

“Even though I’m not very familiar with Tibetan history, I could still understand the story and feel the emotions behind it. The scale of the performance was also incredible, especially the combination of the performers, lighting, music and the surrounding landscape.

“What made the experience even more special was the setting itself. Watching an outdoor performance in the cool night air of Lhasa, at such a high altitude, created a unique atmosphere that is difficult to describe. Seeing the mountains in the background illuminated by the reflections of the LED displays added a dramatic and almost surreal touch to the show. It felt as though nature had become part of the stage, making the entire performance even more immersive.

“I remember sitting there thinking that this was something I probably wouldn’t be able to experience anywhere else. The combination of Tibetan culture, the spectacular production, the cool mountain air and the breathtaking backdrop made it a truly one-of-a-kind experience, and definitely one of the highlights of my trip to Lhasa.”

Just as my fellow participants described how glamorous and impressive the show was, there are no perfect words to explain the experience until one witnesses it firsthand. The Princess Wencheng Opera indeed proves that it isn’t just a show. It was one of the highlights of my once-in-a-lifetime experience during my three-month stay in China. It also speaks to how China preserves its culture and traditions through art.

The opera usually runs from April or May until October each year. All international travelers and non-Chinese passport holders must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau in order to visit the Tibet Autonomous Region in China.