The journey began in Beijing, a city where antiquity seamlessly blends with modernity. Within the first few hours, Alla sensed the scale and harmony of the metropolis. Strolling along the ancient streets, she admired the architecture: palaces, temples, and pagodas. The choreographer was particularly impressed by the Forbidden City—its grandeur and air of mystery transported Alla to another world. Dukhova noted that she felt as if she were inside a performance, where every detail has its own story.
The next stop on the route was Xi’an (Shaanxi Province) and the famous Terracotta Army Museum. This place once again reminded the choreographer of the connection between art and history. She shared that the warrior statues, so different and yet so similar, struck her with their state of preservation. She emphasized that the clay soldiers are not just sculptures, but living witnesses of an era. Alla added that she was touched by the realization that each statue was handcrafted with soul and skill, and that the process of their creation reminded her of ballet. Interestingly, a few years ago, a visit to the Terracotta Army inspired Dukhova to create a spectacular number for the show “Inzenight”: the images of ancient warriors were reflected in the choreography, and every movement of the dancers conveyed their grandeur and mystery.
Alla and her family continued their journey through the Zhangjiajie and Tianmen National Parks—places that seem to embody a natural fantasy. Dukhova described her experience in Zhangjiajie as feeling like she was in a fairy tale: she was struck by the forested mountains and the mysterious mist shrouding the peaks. The choreographer described the Yellow Dragon Cave as a different world: the cave, with its underground river and nearly six kilometers of stalactite labyrinths, felt like a journey into a fantastical underground city. She described sailing on a boat across Baofeng Lake, amidst mountains and forests, admiring stalactites hanging like precious crystals, and walking on a glass bridge over the lake made her feel like she was floating on clouds. All this, according to Dukhova, created a magical atmosphere and filled with tranquility.
An equally vivid impression was the excursion to the tea plantation. Alla reported that she personally participated in the tea harvesting, and then attended three tea ceremonies and tried different varieties – from jasmine to pu-erh. She noted that tea is a real culture that penetrates the soul and teaches patience and harmony.
In China, the choreographer was also impressed by the local shows. She noted the skill of the artists, their synchronicity and expressiveness, adding that she was left with a lot of impressions and she wanted to adjust something, to add her own note to the performance, since each production is a story that should ignite the hearts of the audience.
The adventures ended with a visit to Fenhuang and Shanghai – each city revealed its unique atmosphere to the Dukhova family.
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Summing up the trip, Alla admitted that this visit to China was special for her. The choreographer emphasized that for the first time in her life she did not want to leave for so long, noting the perfect weather, people, nature and a feeling of tranquility. Dukhova said she felt inner harmony and peace in China, finding a true state of balance.
Dukhova also noted the affordability of the trip: comfortable hotels at reasonable prices and delicious, affordable food made the trip even more enjoyable. Alla emphasized that China is a country where you can enjoy beauty and culture without breaking the bank.
Finally, Alla shared the main takeaway from the trip. She expressed confidence that this journey was not only about places but also about inner transformation. Dukhova shared that, upon returning home, she realized that she had found her zen in China. And she added that now she knows for sure: you need to come here not only for the beauty, nature and history, but to find inner peace, inspiration and strength.
