In China, a unique experience allowing visitors to pay to become the stars of their own dramas is gaining popularity.
According to Reuters on November 2, Hengdian World Studios, located in Dongyang, Zhejiang Province, has recently launched a program where tourists can participate directly in drama productions.
Known as the "Hollywood of China," Hengdian is a large filming complex where numerous historical and period dramas are produced. It features sets that replicate the Forbidden City in Beijing and old streets of Shanghai, used in actual drama productions.
Visitors can take on acting roles and film their own dramas, choosing from over 20 scripts that include themes of palace intrigue, romance, and betrayal.
Prices vary depending on the type of experience. Claire Huang, who acted as an empress with friends, paid 388 yuan (approximately $54) per person.
This fee includes hairstyling, makeup, costumes, a 30-minute filming session directed by a professional, and a 90-second edited video.
Huang, who has enjoyed playing director since childhood, expressed her desire to experience being in a real drama with her friends.
Another participant, 28-year-old influencer Xie, visited Hengdian after seeing experience videos on social media. He paid 498 yuan (about $68) for a personal shoot using an original script.
Xie noted that China lacks a prom culture like in the U.S., and people enjoy dressing up and expressing themselves through such experiences.
The program has seen significant interest. Since its launch in August, over 2,000 people have participated, with weekends and holidays seeing particularly high demand, often resulting in fully booked days.
Wang Weili, a filming director, reported that during the National Day holiday, they filmed from morning until sunset but still could not accommodate all guests. He mentioned that they had filmed as many as 20 teams in a single day.
This trend reflects changes in China's consumer market. Amid economic slowdown and a prolonged real estate slump, spending on luxury goods and furniture has declined. In contrast, expenditures on travel, entertainment, and unique experiences continue to rise. As a result, interactive content such as live-action role-playing, historical reenactments, and film production experiences are emerging as new consumer attractions.
Hengdian is also leveraging its existing drama filming facilities to create participatory experiences for tourists, tapping into this new demand.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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