On the evening of June 7, the chorus The Ballad of the Great Wall echoed through Wangjing Cultural Square in the Badaling Great Wall Scenic Area, marking the opening of the 2024 Beijing Great Wall Cultural Festival. The song goes, “The Great Wall stretches far and long, beyond its reach is where I belong”.

As part of the festival, the “Foreign Journalists Visit Great Wall” event was held in the afternoon. More than 100 journalists from 93 countries and regions, including Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America, and Europe, climbed from the south side and admired the magnificent view while appreciating the Great Wall Cultural Belt.

After the rain, the sky cleared and the sun broke through the clouds, illuminating the rugged mountains. The Great Wall meandered through the terrain, creating a striking contrast with the lush forests, resembling a majestic loong traversing the horizon. The journalists arrived at the fourth tower of the south side by cable car and climbed to the seventh tower. Throughout the journey, they were awestruck by the grandeur of the Great Wall, eagerly capturing moments through photos and videos while seeking to understand more about the historical and cultural significance of this ancient monument.

Besides the trip, the journalists were also invited to the opening ceremony of the Great Wall Cultural Festival, a mass cultural evening with a variety of fantastic performances. Of particular note was The Bond of Civilization, a creative act inspired by the melodious Chinese opera The Icy Moon Appears and the passionate bel canto Carmen. The performance showcased how the Badaling Great Wall has welcomed world dignitaries, highlighting its role as a bridge and a cultural symbol of openness, inclusiveness, and a love for peace.

“The Great Wall is stunning. So are its stories,” said the journalists.

(Edited from the sources of Yanqing District and Beijing Daily)