On June 27, 2014, the large-scale open-air landscape performance "Tianxia · Love Mountain," jointly created by the Jizhou Tourism Culture Group and Mr. Mei Shuaiyuan, the founder of China's landscape live-action performances, will officially premiere in Panshan, Jixian County, Tianjin.
Why did Mr. Mei Shuaiyuan choose Panshan in Jixian?
Mr. Mei explained that Jixian was chosen primarily because it is very close to Beijing. Establishing a landscape live-action performance here will fill a cultural gap in the Beijing-Tianjin area. Secondly, Jixian has a profound cultural heritage, but its potential has not yet been fully explored—especially Panshan, which was visited 32 times by Emperor Qianlong and is a Buddhist sacred site that once hosted 72 temples. The essence of such a culturally rich mountain is well worth further excavation through a live-action show. Moreover, Emperor Qianlong’s repeated visits to Panshan must have had his reasons and aspirations, leaving room for imagination and creative possibilities in crafting the performance.
The significance of the live-action performance for Jixian’s tourism
Li Shuling, General Manager of Jizhou Tourism Culture Group, explained that Jixian has long been seeking a tourism participation method that can both highlight its unique travel features and delve into its historical and cultural connotations. Through visits, research, and extensive analysis of Jixian’s current situation, they finally decided to create a landscape live-action performance that integrates real mountains, waters, and people while using artistic forms such as song and dance to showcase local culture.
The debut of "Tianxia · Love Mountain" will transform Jixian’s tourism from a mere sightseeing model into one that captivates visitors with storytelling, leaving a lasting impression. It allows tourists not only to admire scenery but also to savor history, not just to enter the mountains but to gain insights. At the same time, it elevates the cultural essence of Jixian, filling a cultural void in its tourism offerings.
Music theater elements are the biggest highlight
Director Liu Chun noted that the most distinctive feature of "Tianxia · Love Mountain" is the clever incorporation of music theater elements. Unlike previous live-action shows, "Tianxia · Love Mountain" includes a significant amount of singing, with music accounting for up to three-fifths of the entire performance. Actors convey the themes of “this mountain,” “this water,” and “this person” through solo, chorus, and trio performances, delivering the true essence of the show—"harmony between man and nature"—with heartfelt vocals.
"Tianxia · Love Mountain" blends imperial grandeur with Buddhist culture, merging humanistic emotion with picturesque landscapes. Coupled with musical styles, stage effects, visual impact, and compelling dialogue, it seeks to resonate with audiences and convey the sentiment and epiphany that “life is inevitably imperfect.” Director Liu Chun boldly predicts that this culture-centric, emotionally immersive form of presentation will become a key trend in the evolution of landscape live-action performances.
Behind-the-scenes team discusses stunning stage design
The live-action performance site of "Tianxia · Love Mountain" is located on the southern foothills of Panshan. The stage covers 158 acres, with a viewing area of 3,200 square meters that can accommodate over 1,600 spectators at once. Such a grand and ambitious production—with its stage design, costumes, props, lighting, and sound—sparks the imagination and stirs strong anticipation.
Lujie, the Artistic Director of "Tianxia · Love Mountain," explained that to achieve a more perfect and stunning stage effect, they first created a preliminary concept based on 3D animation demonstrations, then carried out the planning and execution of on-site stage equipment step-by-step according to the design scheme. Mr. Lu has many years of experience in managing large-scale events such as variety shows and celebrations, with rich expertise in coordinating various departments.
"Tianxia · Love Mountain" tells the love legend of Emperor Qianlong, and the costumes worn by the actors are especially eye-catching. According to Kui Xiangyang, head of the stage art department, the costumes in "Tianxia · Love Mountain" are exquisitely made, with superior texture and elegant lines. They are remarkably striking once worn by the actors, perfectly matching the refined and meticulous nature of the live-action performance. The production team currently has 960 costumes and over a thousand props. The main characters’ costumes change according to different scenes—for example, Emperor Qianlong in childhood, youth, enthronement, and wedding periods are portrayed by five different actors in distinct attire.
The lighting and sound engineers of "Tianxia · Love Mountain" are two young yet highly skilled professionals—He Zhilin and Wang Haiqing. They explained that all lighting and sound equipment used in the show are from internationally renowned brands. The entire mountain venue, situated at an altitude of over 700 meters, is equipped with surrounding lights and sound systems. Based on scene changes and plot needs, various beautiful and stunning audiovisual effects will be synchronized with the actors’ performances. Moreover, to emphasize the numerous music theater elements in "Tianxia · Love Mountain," sound effects have appropriately incorporated techniques used in musicals.