A Golden Autumn Excursion: Huadong Instrument and Meter Factory Staff

The golden autumn sunshine was warm and serene, and the breeze gentle and soft. Amidst the deepening autumn, and with the aim of enhancing employee well-being and sharing the fruits of corporate growth, the Huadong Instrument and Meter Factory organized a two-day trip to Hengdian World Studios for all staff on November 24. Factory Director Wu Ben provided strong support for the event and personally led the team to ensure a safe journey and a smooth return. On the afternoon of the 24th, the group visited the world-renowned "New Old Summer Palace" (Yuanming New Garden). Spanning over 4,000 mu, the park features a blend of traditional Chinese architecture and Western-style landscapes; strolling through it felt like traveling across vast regions, offering a feast for the eyes. A dazzling array of performances captivated visitors, making them reluctant to leave. This park embodies the true essence of imperial grandeur. Modeled after the Changchun Garden—an imperial retreat used by the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty—it recreates ten iconic scenic spots, such as the Hall of Nine Classics and Three Affairs (Jiujing Sanshi Dian), Shouxuan Chunyong, Danning Ju, and Chunhui Tang, thereby reviving scenes from the Emperor's daily life of over three centuries ago. The 450-mu Fuhai Lake, a "Moon Screen" with a 60-meter diameter, and a massive water curtain (128 meters long and 25 meters high) served as a poetic stage. As the bright moon rose and ethereal mists swirled beneath twinkling stars, the illuminated musical fountains and pavilions resembling celestial palaces created a dreamlike atmosphere. A spectacular combination of mist effects, lasers, fountains, and flames produced a breathtaking, magnificent display. The beautiful portrayal of the love story between the Dragon and the Phoenix against the backdrop of the moon and water screens transported viewers into a fairyland, sparking a whirlwind of imaginative wonder.

The large-scale immersive cinematic spectacle *The Burning of the Old Summer Palace* offers a breathtaking feast for the senses—a baptism of light and shadow, water and fire. Scenes unfold in a sweeping sequence: from an exquisite, delicate rouge box to a shared drink with fallen Qing soldiers in a "West Lake" melon patch; from the lantern formation of a bound-footed woman on night watch to the swirling "snow" cascading down like the petals in the Peking Opera classic *The Heavenly Maiden Scatters Flowers*; from the massed ranks of officials kneeling in remonstrance to a three-meter-tall rubbing of the *Treaty of Tientsin*; from the thunderous roar of British trains and warships to geysers of water blasted sky-high by cannon shells, culminating in the raging inferno that consumed the Old Summer Palace...

The next morning, we visited the Qin Palace. The scenic area is vast, complex in design, and meticulously laid out. The main structure, the "Sihai Guiyi Hall" (Hall of Universal Unity), stands tall and majestic, vividly embodying the grandeur and imposing power of Qin Shi Huang as he conquered the six rival states and unified the nation. We also explored the 120-meter-long "Qin-Han Street," which authentically recreates the atmosphere of marketplaces from that era—evoking images of ancient dusty roads, the clash of arms, distinctive Yan-Zhao architecture, and the rich culture of the Qin and Han dynasties. Through the 4D film *The Dragon Emperor's Awakening*, we felt as though we had traveled back in time to the State of Qin. Afterward, we watched *Hero's Duel*, a performance recounting the story of Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin. Our two-day excursion soon drew to a close; on the return bus ride, everyone was still buzzing with excitement, happily sharing stories and highlights from the trip. This tour showcased the excellent spirit of the Huadong Instrument Factory employees; beyond simply relaxing and relieving stress, the experience broadened our horizons and strengthened our team cohesion and sense of belonging. We extend our sincere thanks to Factory Director Wu Ben for providing such a wonderful opportunity. Let us now channel this renewed enthusiasm into our work, striving for outstanding achievements in our respective roles and contributing to a bright future for Huadong Instrument.