Audience Members of Chinese Descent Cherish Shen Yun: “They Found the Soul of Traditional Chinese Culture”

(Minghui.org) As Shen Yun tours Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America, theatergoers have been able to enjoy the beauty and universal values presented in the performances. This is especially true for audience members of Chinese descent, who voiced appreciation for the cultural, spiritual, and artistic value of the performances. Some have even traveled outside of China to catch a performance.

Data Engineer: “I’m Very Emotional”

Shen Yun New Era Company performed to a packed house at the HOTA Home of the Arts in Gold Coast, Australia, on the evening of February 28, 2026.

Ms. Liu, a data engineer, saw Shen Yun in Gold Coast on March 1.

“I’m very excited. It would be great if they could perform in China too. I very much long for that,” Ms. Liu said.

“Actually everyone still has a strong desire for this traditional culture. They hope to see how in ancient times and during the divinely inspired civilization in the past, people could leave their doors unlocked at night. Like how it was portrayed in the show that when good and evil are facing off, people obtain a serene and open-minded feeling after they choose good,” she said.

Californian Mayor: “Compassion and Kindness”

Shen Yun North America Company performed to a packed house at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, California, on the evening of February 6.

Elizabeth Yang (Screenshot courtesy of NTD)

Elizabeth Yang, the mayor of Monterey Park, saw Shen Yun in Long Beach on February 7.

“That was a pretty amazing technology. When the Monkey King actually bounced out of the screen. We were gasping in shock, like how did that happen? So it was a little bit of magic,” she said.

“I think in the current society, there’s a lot of conflict, a lot of differing opinions. So I hope that this compassion and kindness will let people respect each other, even if people have different opinions, but still come from love and compassion,” Mayor Yang said.

Director of Culture Center: “Please Keep Going”

Audience members applaud after Shen Yun North America Company’s evening performance at the Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California, on January 23.

Chung P’ei-chen (Screenshot courtesy of NTD)

Chung P’ei-chen, director of Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, saw Shen Yun in Los Angeles on January 23.

“What moved me the most was the very beginning with the vast sky and bright heaven, and then followed by the process of harmony between heaven and man,” Ms. Chung said.

“While enjoying this performance, I actually felt that both my body and mind were very relaxed and at ease. I feel that we are often very tired from work, but once I came in, I felt as if I was completely renewed. This feeling was immediate.

“From a certain angle, it is telling us the idea of harmony between heaven and man. It also inspires people to think about why we are in this world, and what kind of value and function should we have. I think that this can encourage people to apply their maximum value and play the most useful role in society.

“Shen Yun is great. Please keep going. Everyone supports you,” she said.

College Professor: “My Entire Soul Has Been Inspired”

Shen Yun North America Company presented its first performance in the Greater Los Angeles area at the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts in Northridge, California, on the afternoon of January 15.

Zhang Qiuqin (Screenshot courtesy of NTD)

Zhang Qiuqin, a college professor teaching Chinese, saw Shen Yun in Northridge on January 16. This was her second time seeing Shen Yun.

“I feel that my entire soul has been inspired. My entire person has been inspired and is elevating and surpassing upwards, becoming better. Hopefully more people can see this show and benefit from it,” Ms. Zhang said.

“These dance moves can only be found in the heavens. So it felt like celestial maidens had descended.

“I feel that it’s truly beautiful each time I see it. I feel that my soul has been cleansed and I got an upward force. I feel closer to the divine,” she said.

Congressional Candidate: “I Really Enjoyed It”

Shen Yun North America Company opened the North America tour at the Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose, California, on the afternoon of December 24.

Wendy Huang (Screenshot courtesy of NTD)

U.S. congressional candidate Wendy Huang saw Shen Yun in San Francisco on December 31.

“It is heavenly, and I really enjoyed it,” Ms. Huang said.

“It’s wonderful, especially at the end of the year, and the beginning of a new year, it really gives people hope that there is truth, that there is grace.”

Ms. Huang said Shen Yun’s mission is “very important because we need to bring our tradition back.”

“We need to bring what made China beautiful, and that lasted 5,000 years, and that’s why it lasted,” she said. “We need to press on and tell the truth and not back down. And you know what, when light shines, darkness disappears.”

“It is not easy to basically tell the truth. And I just want to thank all the dancers and also this production [for not backing] down,” she said.

Author: “They Found the Soul of Traditional Chinese Culture”

Shen Yun Global Company performed to a packed house at the Eventim Apollo in London, UK, on the evening of January 13.

Ma Jian (Screenshot courtesy of NTD)

Ma Jian, an author, saw Shen Yun in London on January 13.

“During the performance, I felt that they found the soul of traditional Chinese culture,” Mr. Ma said.

“Shen Yun’s entire performance was able to capture a faith – the faith that Chinese people need to find. You can feel it here that with a faith, whether it is the colors, traditions, or aesthetics – everything would have a better development.

“We have a beautiful traditional culture, but we do not have a beautiful society. So there is a disconnection: how come a beautiful society cannot be built when there is a good traditional culture? That will require finding this kind of good traditional culture in Shen Yun. They need to find a true faith, and slowly combine it with traditional Chinese culture such as the principles of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness,” he said.

“Consummate Goodness and Beauty”

Shen Yun New Era Company performed to a sold-out house at the Suseong Artpia, Grand Hall, in Daegu, South Korea, on the evening of February 18.

Mr. Zhang, a young man born in the 1990s, was one of several visitors who had traveled from mainland China to South Korea specifically to see Shen Yun in Daegu on February 18.

“Pure goodness and beauty—consummate goodness and beauty,” Mr. Zhang said after the performance. “While I was watching, I kept trying to think of adjectives to describe it, but nothing seemed adequate.”

For him, making the trip was not easy. “It’s Chinese New Year, and traditionally, I should be at home. But I had one thought that compelled me to come. I encountered many difficulties along the way, yet I held onto this one thought: I must come,” he said.

Reflecting on the performance, he added, “I’ve never seen such a beautiful show before.”

Although he noted that the artists are young, he said, “They are true artists. There were so many details and expressions on the dancers’ faces that I could hardly take it all in. I don’t know why, but I kept getting goosebumps.”

Mr. Zhang said the performance gave him a glimpse of what heaven might look like.“Before seeing Shen Yun, I believed in the divine and that there were gods in heaven. But I didn’t know what heaven looked like. I only knew it must be beautiful and magnificent, but I couldn’t picture it. Just as shown in the performance, only through cultivation can one ascend to heaven. If one is attached to fame, fortune, lust, and greed, there is no return,” he said.

“I’m very moved by Shen Yun’s effort to revive traditional Chinese culture. I’m interested in history, but I rarely watch TV dramas because so many details are inaccurate—whether in costumes, etiquette, or characterization. From what I know, Shen Yun’s portrayal of Chinese history and culture is very accurate. The etiquette and costumes are all done exceptionally well,” he said.

He emphasized that the beauty on stage felt dignified and uplifting. “Shen Yun’s beauty doesn’t rely on exposing legs or arms to attract attention. It presents a truly clean and pure beauty. Men display masculinity, and women present feminine grace.”

“Such a beautiful performance should blossom across China, yet it’s a real shame that it can’t be staged there. Shen Yun has been established for 20 years, and I hope to see it in China someday so I can watch it many times,” he said. “Many things are beyond human control. After seeing the show, I sincerely hope Shen Yun can perform in mainland China next year—or even this year.”

He added that he perceived a divinely-inspired culture in the performance. “We are often taught that humans are just advanced animals, but I don’t agree. I believe humans were created by God. With faith, people can restore their moral compass. Without faith, there is no inner restraint. I think faith is very important,” he said.

The performance’s depiction of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong practitioners also left a deep impression on him.

“From a young age, many people around me practiced Falun Gong, and they were healthy. I knew it was good. Later, they suffered a very bloody persecution. People were filled with fear when hearing the words ‘Falun Gong,’ especially after the CCP-staged Tiananmen self-immolation incident. Because someone in my family practiced, I knew that self-immolation was impossible,” he said, as Falun Gong prohibits killing and violence.

“Although I was very young and don’t remember everything clearly, that incident left a shadow on me because of the constant indoctrination. Later, I calmed down and realized it was false.”

He shared that when he was older and able to access information online, he withdrew from the Chinese Communist Youth League and Young Pioneers. “After I went to university, I also helped some friends withdraw,” he said.

Addressing the performers, he said, “You are great. I can’t find a better word than ‘great.’ Every movement, every piece of music, even the transitions between scenes, were flawless and incredibly smooth. During intermission, I felt a little sad because I hadn’t seen enough. Two hours passed too quickly. Thank you for letting me see such a beautiful performance.”

He concluded, “Next time, if I have the chance, I want to see Shen Yun with my family and invite everyone I can.” He said he would strongly recommend it to close friends. “I’ll tell them, trust me, this once—you definitely won’t regret it.”

For more information about performance times, locations, and tickets, please visit www.shenyun.com.