Real-Life Filming Locations in China from Popular Movies and Dramas

When we think about what makes a scene memorable, it’s not just the acting or the story. Sometimes it’s the setting — the mist over a lake, a quiet village alley, the edge of a mountain cliff. In Chinese dramas and films, location often plays just as big a role as the characters themselves.

From historical sets and small-town hideaways to vast desert landscapes, many of these filming locations are open to visitors. Some are purpose-built film parks, while others are real towns and natural landmarks that existed long before the camera arrived. Either way, they offer a chance to see these places beyond the screen, not as backdrops, but as places with their own textures and rhythms.

Here are 10 filming locations around China where scenes from famous films or C-dramas were shot and stories unfolded.

Also read: Unlocked: Filming Locations Of Your Favourite Korean Shows

1. Hengdian World Studios: The Untamed

As seen in: The Untamed (陈情令)
Location: Dongyang, Zhejiang Province
Best time to visit: March to May, or September to November
Getting there: Take a high-speed train to Yiwu, then a 1-hour car ride to Hengdian World Studios

Many scenes from The Untamed were filmed in Hengdian World Studios, one of the largest film sets in the world. Entire palace complexes and ancient cities have been built here to recreate different dynasties and fantasy realms. The Cloud Recesses, Nightless City, and Yunmeng Jiang Sect headquarters all took shape across different studio zones.

The studios are open to the public and can be explored like theme parks, complete with live shows and costume rentals. Visitors often come in hanfu and walk through the sets as if stepping into the drama itself. It’s not just a film site, but a space that invites you to linger and imagine.

TripZilla Tip: Look out for the Qin Palace, Ming & Qing Palatial Garden, and the Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival. These were key locations used to bring the world of The Untamed to life.

2. Dali: Meet Yourself

As seen in: Meet Yourself (去有风的地方)
Location: Dali, Yunnan Province
Best time to visit: October to April for cool weather and clear skies
Getting there: Fly into Dali Airport, then take a taxi or local bus into the old town area

Meet Yourself struck a chord with viewers for its quiet pacing and small-town atmosphere. Much of it was filmed in Dali, a lakeside town in Yunnan known for its open skies, slow rhythms, and cobbled streets. It’s not a place where much happens quickly (but that’s the whole point!)

In the show, Dali is where the main character finds space to reflect and rebuild. For travellers, it offers a similar kind of stillness. You can walk along Erhai Lake, explore craft shops and cafés in the old town, or do nothing for a while and let the day pass.

TripZilla Tip: If you want to visit filming sites, look out for the real-life inn used in the drama. It’s still operating, though often fully booked during peak seasons.

3. Xinjiang: To the Wonder

As seen in: To the Wonder (我的阿勒泰)
Location: Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
Best time to visit: May to October
Getting there: Fly into Urumqi or Kashgar, depending on your route. From there, travel by car or domestic flights to scenic areas.

While most of To the Wonder is set in a modern city, some of its most memorable scenes take place far away in the wide, open landscapes of Xinjiang. These moments offer a visual break in the drama, with sweeping mountains, quiet lakes, and endless roads that seem to lead nowhere and everywhere at once.

Xinjiang is the largest province in China by land area, and it shows. You’ll find places like Sailimu Lake, Tianshan Grand Canyon, and stretches of road along the Karakoram Highway that feel cinematic even without a camera. In the show, the scenes shot here often have themes of escape and reflection, and if you ever get a chance to visit, you’ll see why.

TripZilla Tip: Many of Xinjiang’s scenic spots are remote, so plan your transport carefully. A guided tour or private driver can help you cover more ground without rushing.

Also read: 7 Scenic Train Rides in China You’ll Want to Take at Least Once

4. Jiuzhaigou: Hero

As seen in: Hero (2002)
Location: Jiuzhaigou Valley, Sichuan Province
Best time to visit: July to October
Getting there: Fly from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport, then take a local bus or taxi to the park

The fight scene between Jet Li and Maggie Cheung in Hero was filmed at Arrow Bamboo Lake in Jiuzhaigou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its clear water, bright forests, and layered colours. The lake reflects everything around it so cleanly that it feels more like a painting than a landscape.

Far from city noise, Jiuzhaigou is a place of stillness and texture. Water moves in slow spirals. Trees shift from green to gold to crimson. It’s not just beautiful. It’s grounding.

TripZilla Tip: Spend at least two days in Jiuzhaigou. Some of the best views require time and walking, especially if you want to visit the more secluded lakes.

5. Hongcun Village: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

As seen in: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Location: Yi County, Anhui Province
Best time to visit: Spring and Autumn
Getting there: Take a sightseeing bus from Huangshan Bus Station or the Huangshan Mountain front gate

At the beginning of the film, Li Mu Bai arrives in a quiet mountain village to devote himself to meditation. That village is Hongcun, about 30 miles northwest of Huangshan in Anhui Province. With whitewashed walls, curved rooftops, and still ponds, it looks much the same today as it did onscreen.

Built over 900 years ago, Hongcun is said to be laid out in the shape of an ox. Water channels run through nearly every household, part of an old belief that keeping water flowing within the village would ensure prosperity for generations. You can still trace that system today as you wander the alleys.

TripZilla Tip: Hongcun pairs well with a trip to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). You can do both in a day, but staying overnight gives you more time to enjoy the morning light.

6. Shanghai Film Park: Blossoms Shanghai

As seen in: Blossoms Shanghai (红楼梦)
Location: Songjiang District, Shanghai
Best time to visit: Autumn or Winter
Getting there: The Bund is accessible via East Nanjing Road Station. Shanghai Film Park is around 1 hour by car from central Shanghai.i

Wong Kar Wai’s Blossoms Shanghai recreates the city as it was in the 1990s — a place of change, memory, and ambition. The production team built a 1:1 replica of Huanghe Road at Shanghai Film Park in Songjiang, using detailed set design to reflect the period.

You won’t see the Bund in the show, but it remains one of the most recognisable symbols of Shanghai on screen. For travellers, the city still holds the layered energy that Blossoms tries to capture. The old and the new sit side by side. Neon lights reflect off the river. And even the quiet corners seem to carry stories.

TripZilla Tip: Shanghai Film Park is open to visitors and includes several other sets from famous dramas and films. It’s a good day trip for anyone interested in Chinese cinema.

Also read: 10 Movies Set in Hong Kong and Their Filming Locations

7. Kashgar Old Town: The Kite Runner

As seen in: The Kite Runner (2007)
Location: Kashgar City, Xinjiang Region
Best time to visit: All year round
Getting there: 20 minutes by taxi from Kashgar Airport. Local buses are also available

Although The Kite Runner is set in Kabul, many of its outdoor scenes were filmed in Kashgar’s Old Town. With its narrow alleys, clay houses, and Islamic architecture, the area has often stood in for Central Asian cities in international films.

Today, Kashgar Old Town is open to visitors and still carries a strong sense of local life. You can visit traditional markets, sip tea at a century-old teahouse, and watch craftsmen at work in courtyards passed down through generations.

TripZilla Tip: The old town is best explored on foot. Give yourself time to get lost in the alleys and look out for the tea house featured in the film.

8. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Avatar

As seen in: Avatar (2009)
Location: Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province
Best time to visit: Spring and Autumn
Getting there: 40 minutes by bus from Zhangjiajie Bus Station to the National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie’s dramatic sandstone pillars inspired the floating mountains of Pandora in Avatar. You won’t find flying creatures here, but the mist, cliffs, and narrow walkways do feel otherworldly.

Most of the views you’ll recognise come from the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. There’s even a peak now officially named Hallelujah Mountain. While the park has grown more popular in recent years, much of it still feels untouched.

TripZilla Tip: Stay overnight and visit early to avoid the crowds. The light is also best in the morning, when the fog is still hanging over the cliffs.

Also read: 8 Most Beautiful Beginner-Friendly Hikes in China You Can Actually Do

9. Terracotta Warriors: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

As seen in: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)
Location: Xi’an, Shaanxi Province
Best time to visit: All year round
Getting there: About 50 minutes by car from Xi’an city centre. Buses also run from major stations and the airport

In the film, the Terracotta Army is brought to life by magic. In real life, it’s a little quieter, but no less impressive. Over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers stand in rows beneath the ground in Xi’an, with each one carved with different features, expressions, and uniforms.

Built over 2,000 years ago to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife, the Terracotta Warriors remain one of China’s most important archaeological discoveries. Seeing them in person is less about spectacle and more about scale.

TripZilla Tip: Leave aside at least half a day to visit. The site includes multiple pits and a museum, so give yourself time to take it all in.

10. Mount Qingcheng: Kung Fu Panda 3

As seen in: Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
Location: Dujiangyan, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province
Best time to visit: Summer
Getting there: Take a bullet train from Chengdu to Dujiangyan, then transfer to a local bus to Mount Qingcheng’s front gate

The peaceful panda village in Kung Fu Panda 3  (with its bamboo groves, misty hills, and quiet wooden homes) wasn’t entirely made up. It was inspired by Mount Qingcheng, one of the birthplaces of Taoism in China and a place known for its calm, green surroundings.

The mountain is covered in thick forest and dotted with temples, stone paths, and flowing streams. It’s the kind of place where the air feels still and time moves a little slower. The fact that it’s close to the Dujiangyan Panda Base makes the connection to the film even more tangible.

TripZilla Tip: Combine this with a visit to see real giant pandas nearby. Many tours offer same-day combos, but staying overnight lets you explore at your own pace.

Also read: What Apps to Download Before Travelling to China

Final thoughts

These filming locations aren’t just about retracing scenes, but they also reveal a different side of China as one shaped by stories, but grounded in real landscape, and real people. Whether it’s a quiet street in Dali or a dramatic cliff in Zhangjiajie, each place offers something more than just a backdrop. You don’t need to be a die-hard fan to enjoy these spots. Sometimes it’s enough to recognise a view and let the place speak for itself.