The project
LCI was commissioned by the Quijiang Development Committee in Xi’an, China, to design and deliver a large-scale multimedia water show for Tang Paradise, a major new public leisure park. The brief was to create a signature nighttime spectacular that would entertain visitors and establish the park as a landmark destination.
The challenge
The brief called for a high-impact show capable of captivating audiences at scale while celebrating Chinese history in an engaging and family-friendly way. The production needed to integrate multiple technical elements including water screens, fountains, lasers, lighting, fire effects, live-action footage, and CG into one seamless 20-minute performance. The show also had to resonate culturally.
The solution
LCI designed and produced the $4.5 million “Time Pirate Show,” a multimedia adventure blending storytelling, water projection, and special effects. The creative narrative brought historical figures such as Kublai Khan, Empress Wu, and the Terracotta Warriors to life in an epic battle alongside the Monkey King, the park’s mascot.
Live-action sequences were filmed at Beijing Film Studios under LCI’s direction, then combined with CGI and graphic effects in London. The entire show was choreographed to an original score by Chinese composer Li Jiang and programmed to synchronise precisely with fountains, lasers, lighting, and fire effects.
The impact
Opening to an audience of 28,000 on its first night, the show immediately established itself as a headline attraction within Tang Paradise. The immersive blend of culture, technology, and spectacle positioned the park as a must-visit destination.
