As China's five-day May Day holiday approaches, major attractions across the country have rolled out a series of upgraded tourism offerings, with interactive cultural shows drawing interest.
In Beijing, the Great Wall's Badaling section has unveiled an upgraded night tour that runs from April 30 to October 6, featuring stunning light shows and up-close cultural performances that encourage audience participation.
A key feature of the tour is a dance performance titled "Bonfire Beyond the Old Frontiers," which combines traditional and modern art forms to showcase the grandeur of the Great Wall through dynamic choreography and creative use of the square in front of the wall's historic fortified gatehouse.
While the upgraded Great Wall night experience brings a fresh take on a classic landmark, northwest China's Shaanxi Province is rolling out a slate of cultural and tourism programs to meet surging travel demand. The programs highlight the province's history as a cradle of Chinese civilization and its abundance of cultural relics.
Among the most anticipated events is the return of the grand performance, "Dream of Chang'an - The Grand Tang Welcoming Ceremony", to Shaanxi's capital city, Xi'an. The immersive show is being held at the historic city wall's oldest gate, Yongning Gate.
Staged with performers dressed in authentic traditional costumes from the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the production vividly recreates the grand imperial rituals once held to welcome distinguished guests to Chang'an, the name by which Xi'an was known during that era.
The scenic spot at Yongning Gate has also launched a one-stop cultural and tourism consumption package for the duration of the May Day holiday. By combining platform discount coupons with exclusive package offers, the initiative integrates sightseeing, live performances and interactive experiences to stimulate demand for cultural experiences.
According to Shaanxi provincial cultural and tourism authorities, the province has coordinated cultural and tourism venues, scenic spots, cultural districts, and museums across the region to launch 765 themed cultural and tourism events and 110 preferential measures for the May Day holiday.
China ramps up cultural tourism offerings as May Day holiday approaches
European Union (EU) leaders had agreed to extend sanctions on Russia for another 12 months, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.
The decision, made at an EU summit in Brussels, marks the first time that the bloc has renewed its economic sanctions package for a full year.
Previously, the measures had been extended every six months.
The summit also agreed to produce a preliminary deal on a two-trillion-euro (about 2.30 trillion U.S. dollars) long-term budget for 2028-2034 by October, according to a draft statement published on Friday.
However, significant disagreements remained among member states regarding the allocation of funds.
While Germany, the Netherlands and some countries push to slash the bloc's total spend, southern and eastern member states are concerned that funding for sectors such as agriculture will be sacrificed in favor of more defense spending.
Another hotly discussed topic is the Ukraine issue. The country opened negotiations this month on the first cluster of its accession talks with the EU, and von der Leyen said the bloc aims to open negotiations on additional clusters in the near future.
The European Council also adopted joint conclusions on Ukraine endorsed by all 27 EU leaders for the first time since Dec 2024, said European Council President Antonio Costa at a press conference.
He also said he was establishing a diplomatic channel through his office to facilitate direct communication between the EU and Russia, stressing that the bloc must be able to convey its own messages to Moscow rather than rely on others to interpret Russia's positions.
However, some EU leaders remain cautious about the role Costa should play in any future peace negotiations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the diplomatic coordination mechanism involving Germany, France and Britain had been established at Ukraine's explicit request, adding that Costa plays an important role in representing the EU, but there is no need for him to "make further decisions right now."
Diplomatic contacts related to a possible ceasefire and peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have so far been largely driven by the United States, while European countries have sought a greater role in the process.
The leaders of the EU's 27 member states gathered in Brussels for a two-day summit from June 18 to 19, discussing support for Ukraine, the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), and other key issues.
EU leaders agree to extend sanctions on Russia for one year
