Young actor Yi Yangqianxi plays protagonist Li Bi.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Tang Dynasty thriller draws comparisons with US action drama 24 for its daylong timeline, suspenseful plot and high production values, Cheng Yuezhu reports.

It is the Lantern Festival, a time when people take to the streets at night to celebrate. But, as the capital faces an imminent enemy attack, the entire city depends on a criminal on death row to save the day.

This is the plot of the current hit thriller series The Longest Day in Chang'an, which stars young singer-actor Yi Yangqianxi, actor Lei Jiayin and Beninese-American actor Djimon Hounsou.