Black Myth: Wukong, the first Chinese-developed "Triple-A" video game, has vigorously boosted cultural tourism in north China's Shanxi province, home to many of the stunning locations featured in the blockbuster game.
An instant success, the title topped the "most-played games" list on the Steam gaming platform just an hour after its debut. The smash hit Chinese game draws inspiration from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West and features historic and cultural spots from across China, most of them in Shanxi.
Among them is the impressive Xiaoxitian Temple in the province's Xixian County, which was built 400 years ago. Its main hall is less than 200 square meters but houses nearly 2,000 exquisite hanging sculptures.
Some sculptures in the game were filmed for rendering in Yuhuang Temple in the province's Jincheng City. Dating back nearly 1,000 years, the temple is famous for its colorful figure statues representing deities from the 28 "Lunar Mansions", the Chinese equivalent of the zodiac in Western astronomy.
The Foguang Temple, sitting in the suburbs of Wutai County in Shanxi, is a rare, large, complex, and very well-preserved ancient building from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) of China. Featuring a hipped roof and extremely complex bracket sets, it is a treasure in the eyes of Chinese architects and also appeals to visitors.
Some of the dharani pillars in Black Myth: Wukong were also filmed in Foguang Temple, and there are two Tang Dynasty dharani pillars on the temple's grounds.
"The two dharani pillars are some of the most important pieces of evidence to prove the temple was built in the Tang Dynasty. The lion sculptures on the pillars feature a chubby shape, just reflecting the Tang Style," said Hu Junying, head of the protection office of Foguang Temple.
The Foguang Temple boasts exceptional bracket set architecture as well as beautiful sculptures, murals and calligraphies, and the game's release also brought more visitors to the spot.
"I love ancient buildings and have read a lot of books about it. But when I came to see the real ones, they look much more magnificent. I felt moved and honored because while the Tang Dynasty was so far away, the building still stands to give us the chance to look at it," said tourist Hao Yurui.
Blockbuster game Black Myth: Wukong boosts cultural tourism in China's Shanxi
Blockbuster game Black Myth: Wukong boosts cultural tourism in China's Shanxi
