Following her breakthrough on Sisters Who Make Waves 2025 (乘风破浪的姐姐2025), actress-singer Zhang Xiaowan (张小婉) embarked on a deeply personal journey to Luoyang, Henan. Though raised in neighboring Zhengzhou, Luoyang's cultural tapestry resonated powerfully with her Henan heritage. This narrative captures her transformative encounters with the city's UNESCO wonders and culinary traditions, revealing how ancient stones and blooming peonies reignited her artistic spirit and sense of belonging. Her pilgrimage bridges contemporary stardom with enduring Chinese tradition.
Moonlight and Stone Buddhas
The warm orange moonlight bathed the Longmen Grottoes as Zhang Xiaowan stood silently before the majestic Vairocana Buddha. This UNESCO World Heritage site, carved over centuries from Northern Wei to Tang Dynasty, held fragmented childhood memories of visits with her mother. Decades later, under the quiet night sky away from daytime crowds, a profound stillness enveloped her. "All pressure, daily noise, and restlessness vanished," Xiaowan reflected, her voice unusually soft. "Facing the Buddha felt like facing my own quiet core. That moonlight energy cleansed me."
The grottoes' 100,000 statues, especially the central Vairocana Buddha flanked by disciples and bodhisattvas, offered not just artistic awe but a visceral spiritual reset. For Xiaowan, born into a Henan opera family, this moment crystallized a deeper appreciation for her cultural lineage. She recalled her grandparents teaching her Yu Opera arias like Hua Mulan (花木兰), linking the grottoes' enduring artistry to her own performance roots. "Luoyang is a treasure vault showing us where we come from," she mused, connecting ancient chisels to her own artistic discipline.
Peony Power and Stage Resurrection
Though past spring bloom season, Luoyang's Peony Pavilion pulsated with the flower's symbolic energy. Zhang Xiaowan wandered halls where bronze bells chimed, Tang poetry echoed, and intricate peony motifs adorned porcelain and hairpins. "The Pavilion is stunning! I highly recommend it, especially for women seeking empowerment," she enthused. For Xiaowan, the peony epitomized grandeur, resilience, and unrestrained vitality – qualities mirroring her recent journey. Her participation in Sisters Who Make Waves 2025 marked a pivotal chapter. Debuting with Chang Nian Ai (唱念爱), which seamlessly blended Yu Opera vocals with pop, she emerged as a dark horse contender. "I truly became known through that show," she stated frankly.
Collaborating with established artists felt surreal, transforming her from an unlisted hopeful to a recognized name chanted by audiences. The demanding rehearsals and camaraderie evoked student days. Her grandparents' dedication to Yu Opera, performing meticulously even on makeshift rural stages for a single spectator, instilled in her a sacred respect for performance. "Onstage, I demand full energy from myself," Xiaowan asserted. "Knowing the years of effort behind each opportunity, I cannot disappoint the stage or myself." The peony's bold bloom reflected her own artistic unfolding.
Tang Echoes and the Comfort of Home
Sui-Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park, the final stop, immersed Xiaowan in the legacy of Empress Wu Zetian. Walking through the imposing Yingtian Gate and ascending the steps of Tian Tang (Heavenly Hall), the Tang Dynasty's former spiritual and political center, she felt history resonate within her Henan heritage. "Though my registered residence is Shanghai, my heart is Henanese," Xiaowan affirmed. "Hearing the dialect feels like home." This homecoming extended to Luoyang's famed Water Banquet.
The 24-course feast, characterized by brothy, tangy, and spicy flavors served in rapid succession, evoked deep nostalgia. "Each dish suits my taste perfectly," she shared. "Eating earnestly here is precious." Beyond flavors, Luoyang's people offered profound comfort. Their direct warmth and pride in their city contrasted sharply with Beijing's pace. "Here, interactions feel genuine, unhurried," Xiaowan observed. "That authenticity brings incredible peace." This trip, reconnecting with her roots after her grandparents' passing, offered more than sightseeing. It provided a grounding anchor amid newfound fame. "Luoyang gifted me rare tranquility," she concluded. "It reminded me who I am beneath the spotlight."
