Impression Lijiang is a cultural show which demonstrating the traditions and lifestyle of local Naxi, Yi and Bai ethnics of the area. It is the second outdoor production of famous film director, Zhang Yimou which debuts an open-air performance at the foot of Yulong Xueshan (Jade Dragon Snow Mountain) about 3500 metes above sea level. The performance stage is specially designed to showcase the mountain as the best backdrop of the show. More than 500 local people from ten ethnic groups have been selected over 16 towns and villages nearby to take part in the performances which includes folk songs, dances as well as rituals for tourists.
Unlike many other shows which taken place in the evening and a lot of lighting devices can be applied in order to increase the performance effect while covering up mistakes and blemishes, Impression Lijiang which Zhang Yimou has spent two years for the preparation was innovatively staged in the morning. As an outdoor performance in full daylight, no room for mistakes is allowed. Zhang Yimou has become the first one who dares to put an outdoor performance during daytime.
The performance began with more than 400 male performers wearing in their traditional costumes of respective ethnic groups that line up accordingly along the mountain path and shouting to the sky “We are farmers, we are stars”. All the songs and dances that includes within the show are largely portray the daily life of the local people. Perhaps, the tourists might feel surprised by the matriarchal context of the performances which depicting the women going to work while he men are just laze around and get drunk. This culture is different obviously when compared with other ethnics even with the Han Chinese culture. In comparison, the ethnic of Mosuo is practicing a very strict matriarchal culture while ethnic of Naxi is having a relatively substantial matriarchal element. On the other hand, there are performances that depict the well known tea trading culture of Yunnan Province as well.