As a time-honored cultural and tourism IP with a 30-year legacy, Mutianyu Great Wall's 2026 New Year's Day Sunrise Blessing Event, themed "Pursuing the First Light · Steed-Led Grand Endeavors", is set to launch grandly on January 1, 2026. Integrating intangible cultural heritage (ICH) inheritance, inter-city collaboration, and master photography sessions, the event invites tourists from home and abroad to climb the Great Wall's summit, embrace the first ray of the Year of the Horse, and embark on a new year with solemn ritual.
Building on its classic foundation, this year's event features a comprehensive upgrade with four core highlights, creating a three-dimensional experience matrix of "tradition + modernity" and "culture + interaction":
ICH Inheritance: The acclaimed Wuxi Disabled "Thunderbolt" Dragon Dance Troupe returns, interpreting the power of life through "dragons dancing on the earth, fulfilling dreams on the Great Wall" in silent grace, continuing the cultural glory of integration between people with and without disabilities.
Master Photography: Renowned photographer Shi Hongwei will capture unforgettable moments of tourists with the Great Wall and New Year vibes from a professional perspective, preserving precious photographic memories of the new year.
Inter-City Collaboration: Breaking new ground, the event links with Shanghai Tower for a simultaneous live broadcast of the New Year sunrise on dual-city giant screens. "The Summit of Shanghai" echoes "The Summit of the Great Wall," fostering a dialogue across geography and time that blends historical heritage with modern civilization in the morning glow, allowing audiences in both cities to share the magnificent scenery.
Winter Tourism Extravaganza: A "Celebrate the New Year in Huairou" Winter Cultural Tourism Launch Conference and themed market will be held on-site, featuring specialty stalls, exciting performances, and linking surrounding ice-snow experiences and folk interactions to offer a one-stop New Year's Eve solution.
On New Year's Day, the scenic area will open early at 5:00 AM. Visitors can not only greet the new year's first light atop the Great Wall but also enjoy ICH dragon and lion dances, Huangmei Opera performances, interact with the God of Wealth mascot, take light and shadow photo check-ins, and leave wishes on the graffiti wall. Exclusive Year of the Horse commemorative gifts and free hot drinks will also be provided.
"Upholding our original aspiration for 32 years, we aim to use the Great Wall as a bridge, allowing visitors to feel the charm of cultural heritage in the morning glow and stride toward a 'prosperous year' with vitality," said the scenic area representative.
The event theme "Pursuing the First Light · Steed-Led Grand Endeavors" carries profound meaning: "Pursuing the First Light" embodies people's longing for the new year's first ray, symbolizing a bright and hopeful fresh start; "Steed-Led Grand Endeavors" conveys wishes for prosperous careers and a promising future. Closely aligned with the event's essence, the theme delivers Mutianyu Great Wall's sincere blessings to every visitor through poetic expression, highlighting rich cultural charm and humanistic care.
