The massive bow of the warship slices through the deep blue sea, churning up a trail of foaming white waves. Once a proud sentinel patrolling vast maritime frontiers, the “Zhanjiang” destroyer now lies quietly anchored in the calm embrace of Zhanjiang Bay. But when night falls — it awakens in silence no more.

Backed by Zhanjiang Tourism Holding Group and produced by Guangdong Zhenyuan Cultural Group, Harbor Night — China’s first live-action sea performance set aboard a real warship — has made its powerful debut within an actual military harbor.

Helmed by renowned Zhanjiang-born director Yang Dongsheng, known for directing the CCTV Spring Festival Gala three times, this groundbreaking production marks a bold new milestone in immersive maritime storytelling.

Thousands of spectators have gathered here, drawn by the sea breeze infused with sacred valor, to immerse themselves in a timeless artistic journey that touches the deepest corners of emotion. Vanyee – the force behind this epic-scale mechanical stage – has used the "steel backbone" of modern technology to support a breathtakingly immersive artistic world. Upon the surging waves, a symphony of mechanical power and artistic beauty unfolds — both majestic and profoundly moving.

Drawing on Zhanjiang’s unique naval heritage and rich revolutionary resources, Harbor Night takes inspiration from the stories of veterans who once served aboard the decommissioned destroyer “Zhanjiang” — Ship No. 165 — and transforms the vessel itself into a living stage.

The production unfolds across a three-part immersive environment: the historic stage aboard the warship, a floating mechanical “magic cube” stage at sea, and an onshore interactive performance zone. This innovative fusion of immersive performance and red cultural storytelling not only redefines Zhanjiang’s cultural identity, but also acts as a catalyst for integrated regional tourism and economic development — ushering in a bold new chapter for the city’s cultural tourism landscape.

At the heart of this epic artistic spectacle on the open sea lies Vanyee 400-square-meter floating mechanical stage — a monumental feat of engineering. Its very creation was a hardcore challenge, overcoming countless obstacles to become the steel backbone that makes immersive, ocean-based performance not only possible, but breathtakingly real.

Building a stable performance platform in the vast open sea posed a series of formidable challenges — from site selection, structural form, environmental impact, and construction cost, to project duration. After three intensive months of repeated analysis and evaluation, the  engineering team ultimately chose to construct a large-scale floating mechanical stage at sea.

This solution not only ensured engineering feasibility and ecological preservation, but also allowed the stage to truly merge with the ocean — laying a safe and reliable foundation for immersive artistic performances to unfold upon the waves.

This floating mechanical stage has a draft depth of 2.2 meters, and its complexity far exceeds imagination. It not only supports powerful aquatic flipping and rotating performance functions, but also houses a meticulously designed internal cabin system — including equipment rooms, performer lounges, prop storage, and critically important escape routes. Constructed entirely from specialized marine-grade steel, the stage demands exceptionally high standards of structural strength and stability. Every detail reflects ’s unwavering pursuit of precision and safety — all to ensure that every performance is executed flawlessly and without compromise.

At the heart of the stage are three colossal mechanical platforms capable of tilting up to 70 degrees and rotating a full 360 degrees with no blind spots. These structures must operate with seamless smoothness, absolute stability, and uncompromising safety — all while supporting up to 40 performers executing high-difficulty choreography simultaneously.

From dimensional design to motion trajectory, from load-bearing calculations to precision control, every parameter has undergone countless simulations and rigorous testing. This cutting-edge feat of engineering is a true test of ’s technical expertise and engineering prowess. The raw power of these “hardcore” machines was forged with one purpose: to elevate the flowing grace and emotional impact of live performance.

On stage, a massive five-pointed star with a diameter of up to 6 meters slowly rises at a key moment. The decommissioned "Zhanjiang Ship" transforms into a monumental dynamic backdrop that embodies a century of maritime defense history. A 300-square-meter liftable projection screen delivers stunning visuals, working in perfect harmony with the fluttering array of international flags on the ship’s mast.

This powerful integration of sound, light, video, mechanical systems, and the real naval vessel creates an overwhelming sensory experience — crashing waves, raging battles, ironclad vows... scenes of history come rushing in. The audience is transported to the ship’s bridge, face-to-face with the epic tides of an era.

This is a heartfelt tribute to the sea, and an even greater homage to the spirit of the navy.
Through the catalyst of art, hardcore steel machinery is transformed into a warm vessel that conveys passion, loyalty, and deep patriotism. It makes history tangible and perceptible, bringing heroic figures to life in a vivid and multidimensional way. With its powerful and positive energy, it stands out as a remarkable cultural and artistic masterpiece themed around the navy — one that is worth revisiting and savoring time and again.

Vanyee team on site with Chief Director Yang Dongsheng

Vanyee envisions continuing to collaborate with partners in the future to further blend cutting-edge technology with humanistic art across oceans, rivers, and lakes. These water stages are not only platforms for showcasing modern technology, but also emotional spaces where storytelling is reborn through light, sound, and the natural movement of water. Each project becomes a dialogue between past and future, between people and waterways—offering unique, emotionally rich experiences to audiences of all ages. Vanyee believes that it is this harmonious fusion of engineering and artistry, of scale and subtlety, that will forge new milestones in the cultural and tourism industry, unlocking boundless creative possibilities.