Guangzhou is stepping up security measures with the Asian Games, the most important international event in the city in the past six decades, just a week away.
From hotels and streets to alleyways in villages, over 830,000 Asian Games security volunteers and more than 7,000 auxiliary police are patrolling the city's 12 districts.
Tough restrictions have been put in place to ensure maximum security on Haixinsha Island, in the Pearl River, the centre stage for the Games' opening and closing ceremonies.
Residents living within a kilometre of the island have been told to leave their apartments between 6pm and 11pm on November 12, the night of the opening ceremony, and to gather in public plazas, roads or community centres if they want to see the celebration.
Local media reported that the elderly and disabled and women who have just given birth will be allowed to stay at home but will have to be accompanied by police officers or volunteers.
People living in Liede village were also told to leave their lights on after leaving their apartments that night to project a dazzling image for Guangzhou.