Great Wall of China show impresses UK audiences

China's Great Wall is famous worldwide as an architectural masterpiece. One of the largest construction projects ever undertaken, the Great Wall was built as an extensive bulwark in ancient China over some two millennia. 

Running for 8,850 kilometers, snaking across the Chinese countryside, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

Not surprisingly the enormous structure has inspired a variety of art over the years, including new variety showcase The Spirit of the Great Wall. 

Showcasing folk opera, acrobatics, martial arts and dance, China's diverse ethnic groups are featured. The show includes everything from Mongolian horse dancing to the Dai Song of the Coral and Korean drum dance.

The Jilin Provincial International Cultural Exchange brought the show to London's Shaw Theatre for one night after it was performed at this month's Edinburgh Festival.

Inspired by stories from around the Great Wall taking place throughout history, the Center hopes audiences will experience strength, harmony, beauty and wisdom through Chinese traditional culture.

"There is a famous saying: 'He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true hero,'" Sha Bin, director of the Jilin Provincial International Cultural Exchange Center, told CGTN. "This is why we chose this name - to showcase the profoundness of Chinese culture."

The group hopes to encourage friendship and cultural exchange between China and the UK through the performing arts. 

"As a form of cultural exchange, this performance fully showcases our country's culture," said Wang Yuehong, executive director of The Spirit of the Great Wall and a principal dancer.

"It is a way of preserving and passing down our traditions. (But) it is not just about traditional culture; it's also about mutual exchange between the two countries."

The show features 13 performances, with a total running time of 70 minutes.

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