SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

‘Wow… Like Paradise’: Londoners Say Shen Yun Opened a New Window on Chinese Culture

Jan 17, 2026

1/17/2026Updated: 1/17/2026

LONDON, UK— “When the curtain first opened, the very first thing we saw—the first impression—was ‘WOW,’” said Arafat Hossain. His wife, Nesa Hossain, immediately added, “Paradise.”

On the evening of Jan. 16, Mr. Hossain, A director of Academic Operations at a London-based college, and his wife attended the fourth local performance by the Shen Yun Global Company at Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London. The theater was filled to capacity.

For the Hossains, who were experiencing Shen Yun for the first time, the performance delivered a powerful visual and emotional impact.

“Overall, it was excellent—honestly, far beyond our expectations,” Mr. Hossain said, praising Shen Yun profusely.

The couple found themselves drawn to many elements of the production, including the choreography, the music, and the storytelling. “Everything was fantastic—truly, everything,” Mrs. Hossain said.

Although they were not previously very familiar with traditional Chinese culture, the couple said Shen Yun opened a new window of understanding for them through its artistry.

“We didn’t know much about Chinese culture before,” Mr. Hossain explained, “But through this performance, we learned a great deal—about the traditions, the traditional music and dance, and the history behind them. We really learned a lot.”

Classical Chinese dance encompasses a rich range of techniques, including jumps, turns, flips, control, and tumbling. Mr. Hossain said that one important thing he learned from the performance was the origin of these challenging movements.

“Some of the movements might look like gymnastics at first glance, but they’re not,” Mr. Hossain said. “They’re an essential part of classical Chinese dance. This was the first time we truly understood that.”

Each dance left a vivid impression. “The peacock dance was amazing,” Mr. Hossain said, describing the dancers moving gracefully among the clouds. “We also loved the Monkey King story very much.”

The finale deeply moved him. “It was so colorful and so lively,” Mr. Hossain said. “The golden background, the colors on stage, and the choreography created such a strong contrast. I truly loved that scene.”

Beyond the visuals, the couple said they felt a calming and uplifting energy throughout the performance.

“It was very soothing,” Mr. Hossain said. “It gives a peaceful feeling to both your eyes and your mind.”

Mrs. Hossain added, “I couldn’t take my eyes off the stage.”

They expressed heartfelt gratitude to the artists, thanking them for giving them “such a pleasant and beautiful evening.”

The couple is already planning to return next year with their children. “Next time, the whole family will come,” Mrs. Hossain said.

Reporting by Mary Man and Olivia Li.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.