The 2024 Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival has officially kicked off, transforming Beijing’s Olympic Green into a dazzling night-time spectacle.
The festival offers an array of vibrant light installations and nearly 300 cultural, commercial, and sporting events for residents and tourists alike.
Running until November 10, the festival promises an immersive experience that showcases the city’s blend of technological innovation and international flair.
Centred around the Olympic Sports Centre, one of the main highlights of the festival is the “Tree of Life” installation, which links key landmarks like the Bird’s Nest, Water Cube, and the National Speed Skating Oval in a brilliant visual chain along Beijing’s historic Central Axis.
This year’s theme, “AI in Chaoyang,” underscores the district’s achievements in digital art and cultural industries through interactive digital displays, augmented reality, and robotic installations.
One of the show-stopping attractions, the “Tree of Life,” lights up the Olympic Sports Center, casting an impressive glow that visually stitches together Beijing’s iconic landmarks. This grand display, which connects the Olympic Tower, the Bird’s Nest, the Water Cube, and the National Speed Skating Oval, forms a sprawling visual arc along Beijing’s historic Central Axis. Acting as a “trunk,” the installation extends from the Axis, with the “crown” of lights representing vibrant symbols of life and growth.
Through these luminous elements, the artwork beautifully reflects the city’s cultural resilience and its aspiration for a unified global future.
Under the festival’s innovative theme, “AI in Chaoyang,” this year’s event showcases cutting-edge installations that merge art with technology, bringing digital avatars, augmented reality experiences, and interactive robots into the mix. The festival serves as a stage for Chaoyang’s emerging digital and cultural sectors, providing a platform where local creativity and international artistry converge.
The Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival also captures the essence of its global reach with distinctive artworks such as “Hulahoop,” “Nura,” and “Color Cubed” created by international artists from France and Australia. These vibrant pieces, set against the lush greenery of the Olympic grounds, underscore the event’s diverse appeal, reinforcing Beijing’s stature as a global cultural hub.
More than just a light display, the festival engages the entire Chaoyang District. Key festival venues include the Olympic Sports Center Area and the Liangma River Cultural and Economic Belt, along with installations across the Central Business District, Chaoyangmen Outer Street, and Dawangjing Business District.
As the lights dazzle, Beijing, a city celebrated for hosting both Summer and Winter Olympics, stands ready to welcome guests from across the globe to witness this unique fusion of tradition and modernity.
