At Wansuishan Martial Arts City in central China's Henan Province, visitors step into a living tapestry of traditional culture where ancient Kung Fu legends meet modern entertainment. This innovative theme park, which attracted over 24 million visits in 2025, has redefined cultural tourism through interactive storytelling rather than conventional thrill rides.
The park's recreated Song Dynasty streets serve as stages for martial arts demonstrations and folk traditions like the fiery 'iron flower' performances. Visitors might find themselves participating in matchmaking rituals or watching acrobats scale pagodas using Qinggong techniques. CGTN's Lincoln Humphries recently documented how the park blends historical authenticity with theatrical spectacle, creating what experts call a 'new paradigm for cultural preservation through experiential tourism.'
This success story comes as China's domestic tourism sector shows strong post-pandemic recovery, with traditional culture-themed attractions seeing 34% year-on-year growth in 2025 according to industry reports. Analysts suggest Wansuishan's model could influence theme park development across Asia, particularly in markets seeking to leverage cultural heritage for economic growth.
Reference(s):
BizFocus Ep. 139: A wild ride at China's Kung Fu-themed park
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