Combining live performance with projection mapping to create a nighttime tourism spectacular
Photos courtesy of Shenzhen Guangming Huachuang Technology
As night descends on Doupotang Waterfall—one of China’s most celebrated natural landmarks—the roar of cascading water gives way to a spellbinding world of light, color, and legend. “Return to Journey to the West”, a large-scale live-action fantasy drama created by Landsky Night in collaboration with Anshun Tourism Group and the Guizhou Cultural Tourism Industry Equity Investment Fund, transforms this 105-meter-wide (344-foot-wide), 21-meter-high (68-foot-high) natural wonder in Guizhou Province’s southwest into an extraordinary stage where storytelling and nature converge.
The iconic Doupotang Waterfall transforms into a massive canvas for “Return to Journey to the West”, a large-scale live-action fantasy drama.
Inspired by the beloved 1986 “Journey to the West” television series based on the classic novel of the same name, this spectacular production, realized with the participation of Shenzhen Guangming Huachuang Technology Co., Ltd., captivates audiences with its seamless fusion of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and cutting-edge visual technology. Powered by seven Christie® Griffyn 4K50-RGB pure laser projectors, the show immerses visitors in an awe-inspiring experience that reimagines one of China’s most endearing stories through the magic of light.
Technology breathes new life into a Chinese classic
Drawing from iconic chapters of “Journey to the West”, including ‘The White Bone Demon’, ‘The Kingdom of Women’, and ‘The Ascension of the Five Saints’, the production reinterprets the 7th-century pilgrimage of Buddhist monk Xuanzang, who journeyed from China to India in search of sacred scriptures. Through an inventive blend of live performance, projection mapping, mechanical staging, and interactive audience engagement, the show uses light as its brush and the waterfall as its canvas, immersing audiences in the journey from a vivid, first-person perspective.
“The Griffyn 4K50-RGB projectors provided exceptional brightness and color performance, perfectly realizing the director’s vision across every detail—from the cascading waterfall to the cliff-face imagery.” - Di Zhang
The creative design of the show divides the experience into contrasting ‘dynamic’ and ‘tranquil’ zones, allowing visitors to flow between dazzling visual spectacles and serene poetic spaces. This interplay of movement and stillness deepens emotional resonance and invites personal reflection, resulting in a masterful balance of scale and intimacy achieved through technology-driven artistry.
Crafting a visual marvel amid nature
As systems integrator, Guangming Huachuang was responsible for the design, installation, and commissioning of all seven Griffyn 4K50-RGB projectors. Three units seamlessly blended imagery spanning 56 meters (183 feet) in width and 13 meters (42 feet) in height across the waterfall, while another three illuminated a 42-meter-wide (137-foot-wide), 10-meter-high (32-foot-high) water curtain. The final projector brought to life a radiant Buddha figure projected onto a 20-meter-wide (137-foot-wide), 12.5-meter-high (41-foot-high) cliff face.
Iconic figures of Buddhist monk Tang Sanzang and his three disciples are vividly projected atop Doupotang Waterfall, faithfully recreating the memorable opening scene from the 1986 TV series.
Delivering an astounding 50,000 lumens of brightness, native 4K resolution, and more than 98% of the Rec. 2020 color gamut, the Christie Griffyn 4K50-RGB is the lightest and brightest projector in its class. Its RGB pure laser illumination provides long-lasting color fidelity, deep contrast, and whisper-quiet operation, making it ideal for large-scale, outdoor environments where precision and performance are paramount.
Overcoming challenges through innovation
Despite the scale and complexity of the project, installation was completed in just 14 days—from on-site surveys to final execution. The team overcame difficult terrain, dispersed projection points, and limited access for heavy machinery, completing all tasks in high-altitude and near-water environments.
“We’re delighted to see the Griffyn 4K50-RGB bring this culturally and visually significant production to life.” - Gene Wang
To ensure precision, Guangming Huachuang adopted a three-phase workflow encompassing detailed site surveys and 3D modeling for brightness and geometry optimization, modular shipping and synchronized multi-site installation, and final artistic calibration in collaboration with the show’s director to align visuals with live performance cues. Each projector was housed in a custom IP65-rated enclosure integrating thermal regulation, cooling, and lightning protection, ensuring stable and reliable operation in all weather conditions. Real-time environmental monitoring and remote management systems further safeguarded performance continuity.
Spectators are mesmerized by the enchanting projections on the massive waterfall, which seemingly transport them into the world of ‘Journey to the West’.
Acclaim and recognition
Since its debut, “Return to Journey to the West” has been hailed by audiences and critics alike as a stunning milestone in China’s cultural tourism landscape. The production has earned multiple national honors, including the China Lighting Award (Second Prize) and the Aladdin Magic Lamp Award for Outstanding Lighting Project. It was also named as a national pilot project for immersive tourism and recognized by Ctrip as one of Asia’s Top 100 Night Tourism Attractions for 2025.
“The Christie Griffyn 4K50-RGB projectors provided exceptional brightness and color performance, perfectly realizing the director’s vision across every detail—from the cascading waterfall to the cliff-face imagery,” said Di Zhang, spokesperson for Guangming Huachuang Technology. “This project goes far beyond a successful projection deployment, pushing new boundaries in technology application, cultural integration, and creative design. The experience we’ve gained serves as a ‘golden calling card’ for future world-class night-tourism projects.”
The Guangming Huachuang Technology team finished the installation in only 14 days, from survey to completion, despite the project’s scale and complexity.
Gene Wang, director of ProAV sales for China, Christie, added, “We’re delighted to see the Griffyn 4K50-RGB bring this culturally and visually significant production to life. It underscores Christie’s leadership in cultural tourism and outdoor immersive entertainment, and our commitment to empowering creativity through innovation.”
A new chapter in immersive storytelling
With its amazing combination of nature, artistry, and advanced projection, “Revisiting Journey to the West” stands as a powerful example of how Christie technology continues to push the boundaries of immersive entertainment. At Doupotang Waterfall, legend and innovation come together to transport audiences on an unforgettable journey through light and imagination.
As China’s nighttime cultural tourism continues to flourish, this production reflects a growing trend of using leading-edge display technologies to rejuvenate heritage, culture, and natural landmarks, transforming them into dynamic storytelling spaces that captivate, inspire, and drive new visitor experiences.
