A recent photo shows cast members perform "Chang Hen Ge" ("Everlasting Regret"), a large-scale outdoor musical drama, at Huaqing Hot Springs in Xi'an, in northwestern China's Shaanxi province. [Photo: yule.baidu.com]

When is theatrical scenery better than actual scenery? The answer is never. That's why one stage drama premiered Saturday night at a tourist destination in Xi'an, northwestern China's Shaanxi province.

"Chang Hen Ge" ("Everlasting Regret"), adapted from the legendary love tragedy between Tang dynasty emperor Xuanzong (685-762) and his imperial consort Yang Yuhuan, debuted as China's first large-scale outdoor musical at Huaqing Hot Springs, where the romance allegedly took place, Xinhua news agency reported.

A 300-square-meter island stage was constructed in the middle of a lake inside the tourist resort. During the show, it incorporates surrounding trees, bridges and pavilions as a natural backdrop.

The Shaanxi Tourism Corporation Group invested 100 million yuan (US$14 million) on the play to build the broad center stage, which can be raised and lowered, and high-tech lighting effects for the surrounding scenery. The Lishan Mountain at the back of the stage, outfitted with tens of thousands of bulbs, resembles a starry sky.

Tourists visiting the Huaqing Hot Springs between April and October will be able to catch the show every night, Xinhua reports.