On January 20, the entire cast and crew of the original large-scale acrobatic drama "Dream Journey-Mysterious Xiangxi" returned to Changsha after concluding a nearly six-month tour spanning 63 cities across Spain. The acrobatic drama was created by the Hunan Acrobatic Art Theater of the Hunan Performance Group, in collaboration with the Cultural, Tourism, Radio, and Television Bureau of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.

A group photo of the cast and crew of the acrobatic drama "Dream Journey-Mysterious Xiangxi" taken after the Spanish tour. (Photo/Chen Yangyi)

The acrobatic drama "Dream Journey" has been staged around the world over the past decade since this brand was initiated. As a communication, exchange and promotion project funded by the China National Arts Fund 2024, the acrobatic drama "Dream Journey-Mysterious Xiangxi" underwent a year-long meticulous creation and rehearsals, representing a profound upgrade and innovative breakthrough for the brand.

The Spanish tour commenced in August 2025, featuring a total of 121 performances across the entire country. From a theater in Peniscola Castle to major venues in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, the shows have nearly all sold out, with tickets in high demand.

The acrobatic drama "Dream Journey-Mysterious Xiangxi" has been performed in Spain for 121 times. (Photo/Chen Yangyi)

The performance showcased not only high-caliber acrobatic skills but also deeply integrated intangible cultural heritage elements such as the Miao drum dance, Maogusi dance, and Nuo opera through storyline development and stage design. The show presented the natural landscapes and cultural charm of the mystical western Hunan to local audiences. Additionally, a "Mysterious Xiangxi" cultural tourism photo exhibition outside the theater further ignited overseas visitors' curiosity about the region.

A spokesperson for the Hunan Acrobatic Art Theater noted that the production's success lies in its seamless integration of acrobatic language with intangible cultural heritage, developing an international artistic language that both showcases profound cultural heritage and possesses strong contemporary stage appeal. Moving forward, the "Dream Journey" brand will evolve and upgrade, drawing on the rich cultural resources of Hunan to plan and launch new creative productions.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: Chinanews