Musicians from the Vienna Symphony Orchestra swapped concert halls for historic sites in Beijing this week, blending classical music with ancient Chinese architecture.

On Monday morning, three orchestra members — trumpet player Christian Low, horn player Markus Obmann and bass trombone player Wolfgang Pfistermuller — joined local residents in their morning exercises at Yongdingmen Gate, a prominent feature of Beijing's central axis. They performed "Invention No. 7" by Daniel Muck, its Western melodies resonating against the historic setting.

At Yongdingmen Gate's tower, with a panoramic view of the central axis, they played classical pieces like "Summertime."

The musicians also performed at the Temple of Heaven on Monday and the Drum Tower on Tuesday. These performances brought music to some of the city's most historic sites, creating an immersive experience beyond traditional concert venues.

"This is completely different from a traditional concert hall," said Roland Roniger, a musician with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, expressing his awe at the grandeur of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.

The Vienna Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to perform at the National Centre for the Performing Arts from April 2-4. The ensemble will also open the ninth edition of the China Orchestra Festival on April 4.