Symphony celebrates Qilian Mountains' ecological protection in Zhangye

Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets", the Qilian Mountains Symphony Concert was held at Shandan Horse Ranch in Zhangye, Gansu province, on Aug 16.

The symphony orchestra performs at the foot of the Qilian Mountains in Zhangye, Gansu province, on Aug 16. [Photo provided to gozhangye.com]

This was the first symphony concert dedicated to the grandeur and history of the Qilian Mountains, highlighting their ecological significance.

Against a backdrop of sunset-illuminated mountain ridges and wind-swept grasslands, the performance fused Northwest Chinese folk motifs with orchestral grandeur. The melodies painted the landscape while narrating the region's ecological protection.

Composer Ding Xiaojun, a Zhangye native, expressed pride in performing his work at the foothills of the Qilian Mountains, saying the music reflects nature's rhythm and shows the importance of conservation.

Musicians stage the Qilian Mountains Symphony Concert at the foot of the Qilian range in Zhangye, Gansu province, on Aug 16. [Photo provided to gozhangye.com]

Zhangye, situated in the Hexi Corridor, hosts nearly 700 kilometers of the Qilian Mountains range, with its section constituting 76.4 percent of the Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve. It occupies a vital ecological position.

In recent years, Zhangye has prioritized ecological protection, aiming to build a national model city for ecological civilization and strengthen the western ecological security barrier, achieving ecological beauty, industrial prosperity, and public well-being.