On October 20, a representative from China News reported from Beijing that Liangma River, steeped in a century of history, has become a cultural and tourism gem for the city and a recommended night-time tour route for “Beijing Under the Moon.” With the opening of the 2024 Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival, the river is shimmering with lights, while technology-driven light shows blend seamlessly with vibrant, everyday life, creating a beautiful scene that tells the captivating story of a city that never sleeps.
The cultural and economic corridor along Liangma River features the theme “Chasing Light, Beautiful Shadows.” It is divided into three areas: the Liangma River International Waterfront showcasing “Flowing Light and Art,” the Chaoyang Park section offering “Light Adventures,” and the Junwangfu area embodying “National Style Shadows.” This year’s event hosts over 50 light art installations, more than 10 entertainment activities, and incorporates both waterway and land routes for visitors to explore.
As visitors stroll along the banks of Liangma River, they are enveloped in enchanting light and vibrant life. Starting at Yansha Wharf, an AI dancer performs gracefully on nearby buildings in a dazzling projection show titled “Light Dance Blossom,” a captivating blend of digital artistic technology. Just a short distance away, the Kempinski Hotel continues the tech-forward visual style established at the inaugural light festival, showcasing a whimsical “Bright Horse” alongside enchanting flying membranes.
At Liangma Bay, various technologies come together in the whimsical architectural lighting of the platinum ship lock, with stunning lotus flowers blooming vibrantly. The visuals of red koi and phoenixes swimming freely create a captivating auditory atmosphere. Upon reaching Blue Harbor Wharf, the “Wonderful Night: Music Box” light show immerses viewers in a spectacle of music and visual arts, transforming the unique waterfront structural space into a stage of magic.
Crossing Guanquan Bridge leads to the “Illuminated Forest” within Chaoyang Park—a first in the country, featuring a “forest concert” using combined laser drawing and 3D light arrays. Visitors can walk among cascading crystal light curtains while enjoying the interplay of lights and music—a truly breathtaking experience. The “Mountain of Light” emerges subtly, skillfully sculpting representations of modern architecture in Chaoyang District, making it a popular photo spot.
As the festival unfolds, the “Chasing Light” water shuttle service becomes a highlight. Blue Harbor serves as a key hub for this unique water-based illumination tour, allowing passengers to experience the enchanting blue harbor light show and the “Tide Surging” laser performance from Shell Theater, the perfect vantage point for this visual feast.
The festival has also introduced a range of activities across its waterfront venues, including the “2024 E-sports Beijing: A Night of National Style E-sports” event, which merges e-sports with traditional culture, along with a National Style Market featuring traditional attire, games, and culinary experiences. From October 18 to 20, the Beijing Bread Festival at Chaoyang Park brings together over 130 baking and beverage vendors, while the Bubble Mart “Adorably Odd” market draws younger crowds with its unique flower seating.
The Liangma River Cultural Economic Belt is recognized as one of the first national-level night-time cultural and tourism consumption clusters, receiving accolades for urban renewal and leisure districts. It has become a beloved destination for both locals and tourists, often referred to as the “chillest” living space in the capital. The inaugural light festival saw the “Jifeng Chaoyang” light show emerge as one of the standout performances, drawing over 1.13 million visitors to the nearby Blue Harbor and enhancing commercial activity along the riverside.
Looking ahead, the Liangma River Cultural Economic Belt aims to enhance and upgrade, inviting emerging industries and digital art activities to cultivate a trendy cultural hub and new consumption destination. With upcoming projects in Liqiwang and expanded waterfront experiences, the initiative seeks to elevate the overall commercial quality and create more internationally distinctive scenes, content, and activities within the region.
