Wall of adventure and splendor

The drama is among local authorities' latest efforts to foster a deeper appreciation for the Great Wall, which President Xi Jinping in May called for continued efforts to protect. In his reply to a letter recounting Great Wall protection work from residents in Shixia village at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall, Xi made remarks about promoting its culture and passing on its precious heritage to future generations.

In addition to the new show, night tours of the Badaling Great Wall have been launched since May.

The performance programs have been innovatively redesigned and a "processional viewing" mode has been introduced to immerse visitors in different historical scenes, according to Zhai Yanwei, deputy general manager of Badaling Culture and Tourism Group.

Tree-shaped lighting systems, interactive non-player characters, daring motorbike stunts and a range of Great Wall-themed cultural and creative souvenirs dot the whole journey, which has proved a hit among visitors, Zhai says.

Since it was first launched a few years ago, night tours of the Badaling Great Wall have packed in more than 400,000 visits, including 250,000 last year, according to Badaling Culture and Tourism Group.

"We will receive more visits this year," Zhai says.

Night tour visitors have spent five times as much as they did before and are more likely to stay the night in Yanqing, which has prompted them to explore more of what the district has to offer, she observes.

"Many travelers have chosen to stay at the star-rated hotels or homestays in Yanqing after the night tour and contributed to the bookings of 20,000 to 30,000 rooms last year," Zhai says.

To spice up the tourist experience, Yanqing has also rolled out leisure tours lasting from two to three days.

At the center of the arrangement is a night boating experience on the Guishui River, which originates from the district and runs 18.5 kilometers from east to west.

The river is transformed into a realm of mystery and serenity under the embrace of the night sky, with the gently swaying reeds, heart-shaped islands and an illuminated pagoda, dotting the surroundings and casting enchanting reflections.