A city wall and memory lane

A Hui man grills kebabs in the Muslim quarter of Xi'an. [Photo by Xing Yi/China Daily]

"This is our first time using this AR technology," says Ma Xuechao, a member of the Xi'an City Wall Scenic Area Management Committee.

"It'll reduce overcrowding, since people won't need to squeeze in to get in front of the lanterns."

Last year, China Central Television used the wall as a backdrop for its Spring Festival Gala－one of the country's most-watched TV events.

Ma says managers had to limit admittance, since the south gate area can accommodate a maximum of 100,000 people.

Light shows have proliferated in the city in recent years, especially at top tourism sites like the plaza fountain in front of the iconic Big Goose Pagoda and in the 2011 Xi'an International Horticultural Exposition Park.

Xi'an also enjoys a dining advantage during the Spring Festival, given the primary role food plays in the celebrations.

While many small restaurants around the country are closed during the period, the Muslim quarter－known as Hui Fang－does brisk business, as the area's ethnic Hui don't observe the festival like the Han.

It has been a celebrated spot to dine during the celebrations for hundreds of years.