Recently, the large-scale water-based live-action production Encountering the Three Kingdoms: The Burning of the Red Cliffs completed its test performances at Chengdu’s Luodai Ancient Town with the show is set to officially open on 3 July. Making use of the unique water-based stage at Luodai Ancient Town, the production offers audiences a distinctive historical experience of the Three Kingdoms era through immersive audiovisual effects blending water and fire, alongside a fresh narrative told from the perspective of ordinary people.

Still from  Encountering the Three Kingdoms: The Burning of the Red Cliffs

Still from  Encountering the Three Kingdoms: The Burning of the Red Cliffs

Unlike traditional Three Kingdoms productions, which focus on emperors, generals and influential strategists, this drama breaks free from the framework of classic characters to turn its lens on ordinary soldiers and common folk living in turbulent times. Centred on the tender bond between a mother and her son, the production uses everyday details—such as warm steamed buns before departure, a safety charm for good fortune, and a search for family in the rain—to delicately portray the joys and sorrows of ordinary people amidst a tumultuous era, as well as their sentiments towards family and country, thereby revealing the true human reality underlying the war.

Still from Encountering the Three Kingdoms: The Burning of the Red Cliffs

The production lasts approximately 60 minutes and is divided into eight acts, vividly recreating the entire course of the Battle of Red Cliffs. The performance breaks down traditional boundaries between performers and audience, with actors moving amongst the audience. Combined with controlled flames and immersive sound, lighting and special effects, it allows the audience to experience first-hand the heat of the battlefield and the thunderous war drums, transforming them from bystanders into “participants” in history and immersing them in the tumultuous events of the Three Kingdoms period.

Still from Encountering the Three Kingdoms: The Burning of the Red Cliffs

In the summer of 2026, Luodai Ancient Town will present a brand-new live-action performance, enabling audiences from China and abroad to gain a deeper understanding of the vibrant tapestry of human life underlying the history of the Three Kingdoms.