The 2026 Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival - Consumption Season is underway at Chaoyang Park and will run until October 11. By following the "Light-Chasing Route", you can enjoy the views from the water by taking a cruise on the Liangma River. You can also follow a nighttime walking route through the park and watch the story unfolding around you. Working with the China Oriental Performing Arts Group and other organizations, the event has also launched "Love in the Light" (光影之恋), the Liangma River's first large-scale, moving light-and-show night tour, where you can become part of the story when walking.

Tour on Foot

Route: Start at Chaoyang Park's East Gate 5 and finish at the Shell Theater (贝壳剧场). The tour links more than 20 light-and-show scenes and takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to walk. "Love in the Light" is a completely free, open-air performance.

Service hours: Lights turn on at 18:30 daily (subject to actual conditions).

Seven Acts

1. Dome Theater (穹庐剧场)

The theater has two parts: "Fantasy Spheres" (奇幻摩球) and "Caisson Ceiling" (藻井). At "Fantasy Spheres", three former industrial gas tanks, each about 5 meters in diameter, have become immersive spherical screens for light projections. "Love in the Light" begins here. At "Caisson Ceiling", a canopy of lights forms the backdrop for a classic excerpt of the same name from the dance drama "Yongle Never Ends" (永乐未央).

2. Encounter Theater (遇见剧场)

A gauze-screen light and shadow installation built around an old industrial gantry crane, together with changing artistic portraits of two people, tells a poetic story of meeting, parting and reunion. A dance duet titled "Encounter" (遇见) is also performed here.

3. Blossom Theater (绽放剧场)

On the red-brick wall east of Bisha Bridge (碧沙桥), neon light intersects with images of flowers and plants growing upward, a visual expression of growth and hope. "Ring of Resonance" (共鸣之环) features an open circular stage with mirror columns, bringing performers and audiences closer together. The classic Spanish dance "Olé! Flamenco" (欧嘞！弗拉门戈) is also scheduled here.

4. Light-Chasing Theater (追光剧场)

Light-and-shadow performances including "Romantic Waterfront" (浪漫水岸) and "Wind Enters the Lotus" (风入荷) create an atmosphere highlighting romance and Oriental elegance. Other shows include the traditional Chinese music concert "Night of Chinese Music by the Lotus Lake—Chinese Music Gathering on the Lake" (荷畔国风夜·湖上国乐雅集) and "Swinging Yeast" (摇摆酵母), a piano and double bass duet by the French band "Super Levure".

5. Heartfelt Words Theater (心语剧场)

Flowing cloud-like patterns of light, morning glory lanterns and petal-shaped installations bring to life the playful "Bouncy Rainbow Cloud" (彩虹蹦蹦云). A male-female song duet, "I've Seen You in My Dreams" (我在梦里见过你), is also performed here.

6. Cube Theater (魔方剧场)

The giant LED cube on the water is the centerpiece among this season's light art installations. Located at the center of Chaoyang Park's North Lake, it is designed by internationally renowned director Richard Taylor and is Beijing's first floating stage for light-and-shadow performances. The China Oriental Performing Arts Group will continue to present several shows here during the event.

7. Shell Theater (贝壳剧场)

Located on Chaoyang Park's Central Island, the theater is Beijing's first outdoor immersive performance space on the water. "Lingering Echoes in the Heart" (心有余响), the finale of the moving light-and-shadow night tour "Love in the Light", is performed here.

Tour on Water

Route: Depart from SOLANA Pier (蓝港码头) → Haoyun Bridge (好运桥) → Fangzhou Lake (方舟湖) → return to SOLANA Pier

The 4.5-kilometer tour passes 12 light-and-shadow installations and takes about 50 minutes.

Evening service hours: 18:30–22:00 (the last boat departs at 21:20)

The cruise boat passes through several distinctive bridges and by many newly upgraded light installations along the banks. Once the boat enters the park's waters, passengers may also see "Romantic Waterfront", "Floating Piano" (漂浮钢琴) and "Wind Enters the Lotus" at specific periods, enjoying both the views of installations on shore and their reflections in the water.

Notice: Performances take place according to a fixed schedule. Depending on the boat's departure time, you might miss some of the performances during your cruise tour.

(Source: Beijing Fabu)