Step into the bustling heart of Chinese cinema at Hengdian World Studios, where over 3,000 historical dramas and fantasy epics have come to life since 1996. Spanning 720 hectares across the Chinese mainland, this colossal complex lets visitors walk through meticulously recreated dynastic palaces, ancient battlefields, and vibrant market streets immortalized in films like Hero and The Mermaid.
CGTN’s Tian Wei and French broadcaster Olivier Grandjean recently explored hidden corners of the studio during their cultural travel show. Their journey revealed how massive sets – like the 1:1 recreation of Beijing’s Forbidden City Qing Dynasty section – blend cutting-edge technology with traditional craftsmanship. The pair also analyzed how sites like the replica Along the River During the Qingming Festival streets help reinterpret China’s cultural heritage for modern audiences.
As streaming platforms drive global interest in Chinese content, Hengdian has evolved into both a production powerhouse and tourist hotspot. Visitors can now watch live film shoots, participate in costume roleplay, and see Hollywood-grade special effects workshops – making it a prime case study of China’s growing soft power through entertainment.
For investors, the complex represents the booming "location economy" attracting $1.3B in annual film-related spending. Culture enthusiasts can explore 13 distinct zones covering 5,000 years of history, while Asian diaspora travelers often report feeling "transported to their ancestral homelands" through the studio’s historical replicas.
