Visiting and playing one's favorite TV drama roles at the Hengdian World Studios, known as China's Hollywood in east China's Zhejiang Province, has helped local tourism sector to reap a windfall.
As the filming location for nearly 100 films and TV dramas, "The Palace of Emperor Qin" shooting scene at Hengdian World Studios has intrigued numerous visitors to come and take photos there.
During the summer vacation, the number of tourists at "The Palace of Emperor Qin" is about 20 percent higher than usual. The average daily visitor flow on weekends topped 10,000 people.
"I usually watch a lot of TV series, so I wanted to come and experience the atmosphere of the ancient city. The scenery is quite recreated, and I've seen these kinds of scenes in many dramas before," said a tourist.
Visitors can have a filming experience at "Qing Ming Shang He Tu", another shooting scene at Hengdian World Studios.
"I just wanted to have the experience of acting, because I've always imagined about acting in those historical dramas, wondering how the scenes would be. I played a role as a boss, and I felt quite well." said another tourist.
As night fell, the Guangzhou Street and Hong Kong Street Scenic Area in Hengdian World Studios was staging a grand nighttime performance.
"The integration of sound and light here is good. People can be more immersed in the performance, because we usually can't be so immersive," said a tourist.
In the summer holiday, many students in study tours came to Hengdian World Studios to experience micro film shooting. Zhang Jinquan, a micro film director, said they started shooting from 07:00 these days. "At the busiest time, there could be up to 40 micro film shootings per day, with each shooting lasting around two and a half hours. With the increasing volume of shootings, the wages for all of us will also increase accordingly. Based on the current data, we estimate a year-on-year increase of around 15 percent," said Zhang.
Many Hanfu (traditional Chinese costumes) shops in Hengdian have welcomed a large number of tourists, offering clothing and makeup services for them.
Hotels in Hengdian have also seen a large flow of guests in this summer. In the lobby of a Shanghai-style hotel, many tourists were checking in.
A hotel manager said that in addition to creating a movie and TV theme hotel in the style of old Shanghai, they also provided guests with ticket discounts of the scenic area.
"This style gives me a feeling of going back to the old times of Shanghai, providing an eye-opening feeling. I am quite satisfied. The facilities, hardware and software are both very good, I would bring other family members to visit," said a guest.
"Compared to the usual time, the hotel occupancy rate during the summer holiday will generally see an increase of around 10 percent to 20 percent," said Kong Xiaofang, manager of the hotel.
Immersive role-playing tours to "Chinese Hollywood" boost local tourism
Immersive role-playing tours to "Chinese Hollywood" boost local tourism
As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.
In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.
Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.
"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.
In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.
Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."
The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.
According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.
In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.
Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.
"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.
Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival
