[video provided to wuxi.gov.cn]
Belgian technology company Barco opened a $48 million production and R&D center in Wuxi in May 2024, marking a milestone in its localization strategy in China. This year, Barco has also assisted Liangxi district of Wuxi in developing a nighttime tourism project along the ancient canal.
A thousand years of history come alive as the Jiangnan Grand Canal glows under the night sky. The "Liangxiao Tonight" immersive experience has officially set sail. Powered by 41 Barco UDX projectors, nine spectacular visual scenes unfold across the waterway, painting a magnificent scroll where past and present converge in dazzling harmony. The project has become a luminous emblem of Wuxi's thriving night-time economy.
Context
Spanning 8.5 kilometers, the "Liangxiao Tonight" experience uses the Jiangnan Grand Canal as both the stage and storyline. The experience takes visitors on a time-travel journey – from Taibo's migration during the Shang and Zhou dynasties, through the artistic heights of the Tang and Song dynasties, to the industrial progress era, and finally into the peaceful prosperity of modern times. A total of 41 Barco UDX projectors are seamlessly integrated into the landscape along both canal banks of the Wuxi Grand Canal, turning historical architecture into immersive storytelling.
Challenge
The client required a flawless visual representation of Wuxi's cultural heritage. At key locations such as Kuatang Bridge Wharf, the projection needed to faithfully reproduce the intricate brushwork and subtle colors of Wu Guanzhong's renowned artwork – demanding exceptional precision in both brightness and color fidelity.
Many of the projection surfaces were historical architectural facades, whose textured materials posed challenges for accurate color rendering. In addition, most of the projection sites are situated in bustling urban areas with high ambient light interference. With forty-one projectors deployed across the 8.5-kilometer route, ensuring long-term performance and operational stability was a mission-critical priority.
Solution
Barco UDX series projectors showcased their full potential with vivid color reproduction, high-brightness clarity, and modular design that aligned perfectly with the cultural and environmental demands of the installation at the Grand Canal. Each projector was carefully integrated into the landscape to complement the unique character of its location. The solution delivered industry-leading visual performance and creative storytelling.
At Kuatang Bridge Wharf, a single UDX projector casts seasonal landscapes with a dynamic 3D 3D tableau of flowing water and falling leaves.
The Old Silk Warehouse Site came alive with five projectors animating its outer walls with cenes reflecting Wuxi's historical prosperity.
The Guangfu Gate was transformed with iconic scenes of the Wuxi opera Pearl Tower.
The Lika Historical Site featured a sculptural full moon with delicate, romantic imagery, evoking the poetic vision of Plum Blossoms under a Full Moon — an expression of Eastern elegance.
And the Maoye Buildings howcased a towering visual canvas, where twenty projectors fused classical literature with naked-eye 3D effects.
Additional highlights included the dreamlike water screen at the Fountain Light Show, the shimmering Wuxi Fine Silk embroidery on sail-like sculptures, and the symbolic crane imagery on Xianyi Bridge.
Results
The "Liangxiao Tonight" night-time experience project stands among the most ambitious and iconic in China's cultural tourism sector—particularly within the realm of canal-themed night tours. Each installation told a distinct story. Throughout the entire route, Barco's technology ensured that every scene was rendered with emotional depth, technical excellence, and cultural authenticity it has revitalized Wuxi's canal heritage and historical spirit, bringing an immersive and emotionally resonant night-time experience into the heart of the urban landscape.
Barco authorizes the reprint of this article, which first appeared on its official website.
