The 28th Beijing Music Festival (BMF) was recently held in Beijing. To celebrate the festival, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism has launched ten themed travel routes under the initiative “Travel with Music.” These routes seamlessly blend musical art with urban exploration.

Among them, the Tongzhou “Soundscape Odyssey” Immersive Music and Performance Route has been successfully selected. Let us embark on this enchanting journey through Tongzhou and feel the pulsing artistic rhythm of the BMC.

Mode of Travel: Self-drive / Cycling

The journey begins at No.2 Wharf, located in the Central Section of the Grand Canal Cultural Tourism Zone. Board a cruise boat and set sail on a floating stage — an ever-changing theater of sight and sound. As the vessel glides away from the shore, the scenic banks unfold like a symphonic scroll: the ancient Dipankara Buddha Dagoba stands in poetic contrast to the modern skyline across the water, composing a magnificent panorama that bridges past and present.

As a new cultural landmark of the BMC, the Beijing Performing Arts Centre rises gracefully by the canal, inspired by the design concept of a “Cultural Granary.” Resembling a great ship setting sail, the building itself is an architectural masterpiece. Its concert hall, opera house, and theatre — all crafted by world-renowned acoustic designers — offer exceptional auditory and visual experiences, expanding the infinite possibilities of art and performance.

Leaving behind the urban bustle, the Taihu Performing Arts Workshop provide a tranquil haven for the soul — a place where nature and art coexist in harmony. Here, visitors can enjoy immersive theatre performances or take part in impromptu concerts on the outdoor lawns, experiencing how art breathes and flourishes in the embrace of nature, nurturing both peace and inspiration within.

Curious about what lies behind the curtain? The NCPA Taihu Stage Art Museum — the first in China to integrate design, production, research, and exhibition — unveils the magic of stagecraft. Beyond showcasing the brilliance of onstage performance, it celebrates the craftsmanship behind the scenes. Through immersive, high-tech installations, visitors can step into virtual stage environments, witnessing how a grand production evolves from sketch to spectacle, and appreciating the artistic mastery embodied in every rise and fall of the curtain.

A perfect destination for family travelers, the ShSYF International C&C Park radiates vitality and creativity, with a special emphasis on nurturing children’s artistic growth. Families can enjoy interactive children’s plays, concerts, magic shows, and musical performances, all designed to be highly engaging and imaginative, inspiring young minds to explore the beauty of art and creativity.

The final stop of the journey points toward the future. Located in Taihu Performing Arts Town, within the permanent venue of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, the Capital Symphony Experience Hall is China’s first 5G + Metaverse Symphony Experience Space — a realm where technology and art converge. Here, visitors can use VR and AR devices to stand beside the conductor, walk inside virtual instruments to hear their inner resonance, or even assemble a personal virtual orchestra.