Hengdian World Studios is located in Hengdian Town, Dongyang City, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province. It is a large comprehensive tourist area integrating film and television shooting, tourism, leisure and vacation, and film and television education, and is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. As one of the world's largest film and television shooting bases, it features "film and television as the surface, tourism as the core, and culture as the soul". It has numerous replica ancient building complexes and modern scenes, covering architectural styles from different historical periods such as the Qin and Han dynasties, Tang and Song dynasties, Ming and Qing dynasties, and the Republic of China. The total area of the scenic area is 50 square kilometers, with a cumulative investment of over 30 billion yuan. It has built 13 film and television shooting bases spanning thousands of years of history, such as the Qin Palace, Ming and Qing Palaces, Along the River During Qingming Festival, Guangzhou Street · Hong Kong Street, and 2 ultra-large modern studios. The total area of various replica ancient buildings exceeds 1.5 million square meters, and it has received more than 3,000 film and television crews, known as the "Chinese Hollywood".
History and Culture
Although the historical and cultural context of Hengdian World Studios relies on the replication of film and television scenes, it is deeply integrated with the cultural essence of various historical periods in China. Since the completion of Guangzhou Street Scenic Area in 1996 for the filming of the movie "The Opium War", Hengdian has started the process of promoting cultural communication through film and television. The details of architecture, costumes, and folk customs in each scenic area are based on a large number of historical documents and archaeological data, striving to restore the cultural features of different eras.
For example, the Ming and Qing Palaces are modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, replicating major buildings such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Palace of Heavenly Purity on a 1:1 scale, while incorporating the characteristics of Jiangnan gardens. It not only showcases the magnificent momentum of the royal architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties but also reflects the integration of northern and southern architectural cultures. The Along the River During Qingming Festival Scenic Area is based on the painting "Along the River During Qingming Festival" by Zhang Zeduan, a painter of the Northern Song Dynasty, restoring the market customs on both sides of the Bian River, covering scenes such as the Rainbow Bridge, wharfs, and shops, vividly reproducing the prosperous scene of the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, allowing tourists to intuitively feel the prosperity of urban culture and commerce in the Song Dynasty. This way of presenting culture with film and television scenes as the carrier makes history and culture move from books to real scenes, becoming an important window for the public to understand traditional Chinese culture.
Main Attractions
Ming and Qing Palaces
The Ming and Qing Palaces are one of the largest scenic areas in Hengdian World Studios, covering an area of 1,500 mu with a construction area of 160,000 square meters. The scenic area is modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, replicating 23 main palaces including the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, the Hall of Preserving Harmony, the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Palace of Union and Peace, the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, as well as buildings such as the Imperial Garden and the Gate of Divine Might. At the same time, it has added garden landscapes with Jiangnan characteristics. It is the filming location of many court dramas such as "Empresses in the Palace" and "Story of Yanxi Palace". Tourists can watch court etiquette performances, experience costume shooting, and participate in interactive projects such as "Courtiers' Congratulation", feeling the majesty and exquisiteness of the royal culture of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Qin Palace
The Qin Palace Scenic Area covers an area of 600 mu with a construction area of 110,000 square meters. It was built for the filming of the movie "The Emperor and the Assassin", mainly featuring the architectural style of the Qin and Han dynasties. The core building of the scenic area, the Xianyang Palace, is 44.8 meters high, 130 meters long, and 60 meters wide, with a magnificent momentum. Scenes such as the "99-level steps" and the "Hall of Unity of the Four Seas" in the palace are highly representative. It has been the filming location for films and television works such as "Hero" and "A Step into the Past". Tourists can experience the "Dragon Emperor's Arrival" 4D ride project to feel the historical events of the Qin and Han dynasties. The "Qin and Han Wedding" performance in the scenic area also vividly restores the ancient etiquette culture.
Along the River During Qingming Festival
The Along the River During Qingming Festival Scenic Area covers an area of 600 mu, restored according to the Northern Song Dynasty painting "Along the River During Qingming Festival", covering Song Dynasty architectural landscapes such as the Bian River, Rainbow Bridge, Fanlou, and Xiangguo Temple. Among them, the Rainbow Bridge has a span of 16 meters and a height of 5 meters, built completely according to the structure in the ancient painting, and is a landmark building of the scenic area. The scenic area restores the urban life scenes of the Song Dynasty, including shops, teahouses, workshops, etc. Tourists can watch the real-scene performance "A Dream of Bianliang", experience Song Dynasty costume rental, ancient papermaking and other projects, and feel the prosperous urban culture of the Northern Song Dynasty capital. Song Dynasty-themed films and television dramas such as "The Legend of Song Dynasty" and "The Story of Minglan" were filmed here.
Guangzhou Street · Hong Kong Street
Guangzhou Street · Hong Kong Street Scenic Area covers an area of 600 mu, divided into two parts: Guangzhou Street and Hong Kong Street, completed in 1996 and 1998 respectively, built for the filming of film and television dramas such as "The Opium War" and "The Yongzheng Dynasty". Guangzhou Street restores the style of Guangzhou City in the late 19th century, including scenes such as Thirteen Hongs, Guangdong Customs, and wharfs; Hong Kong Street replicates the street scenes of 19th-century Hong Kong such as Victoria Harbour and Queen's Road, with British-style buildings and Chinese-style shops complementing each other. The real-scene performance "Striving for Hegemony on the Angry Sea" in the scenic area reproduces the naval battle scenes during the Opium War. Tourists can take a rickshaw to visit and experience the life atmosphere of the Republic of China. It is also the filming location of spy dramas such as "Latent" and "The Disguiser".
Dream Valley
Dream Valley is a large-scale nighttime theme park in Hengdian World Studios, covering an area of 430 mu. It features "catastrophic shock" and "comprehensive entertainment", integrating amusement facilities, performances and leisure experiences. The scenic area hosts the grand live-action show "Fantasy Tai Chi", which takes volcanic eruptions as the backdrop and combines lighting and special effects to present the collision between nature and humanity. The "Torrent and Mountain Flood" show recreates the spectacular scene of flash floods, while incorporating the Nuo dance culture of praying for blessings. In addition, there are more than 20 amusement facilities such as Ferris wheels and pirate ships, suitable for families and young tourists. The nighttime light show also adds a dreamy atmosphere to the scenic area.
Food
Hengdian La Mian (Pulled Noodles)
Hengdian La Mian is a very distinctive local snack, famous for being frequently visited by crew members. The pulled noodles are made by hand with high-gluten flour, repeatedly kneaded and stretched, with a chewy and elastic texture. The soup base is simmered with pork or beef bones for more than 4 hours, paired with ingredients such as green vegetables, tomatoes, and eggs. You can choose clear soup or braised flavor according to your taste. At the "Old Hengdian La Mian Restaurant" on the old street of Hengdian Town, the daily sales exceed 500 bowls, with each bowl priced at 15-25 yuan, which is a must-try food for tourists to experience the local flavor.
Dongyang Wo Mian (Dongyang Braised Noodles)
Dongyang Wo Mian is a traditional noodle dish in Dongyang, Jinhua, and is available in various restaurants in Hengdian. It is made mainly with noodles, added with eggs, mushrooms, dried bamboo shoots, meat slices, shrimps and other ingredients, simmered with high soup until the soup is thick. The noodles absorb the umami of various ingredients, with a rich taste. A bowl of Wo Mian is sufficient for 2-3 people to share, priced at about 30-40 yuan. Because of its rich ingredients and delicious taste, it has become a common working meal for crews during filming breaks and is also loved by tourists.
Nanma Meat Pie
Nanma Meat Pie originates from Nanma Town, Dongyang, and can be seen everywhere on the streets of Hengdian. It uses flour as the crust, wrapped with pork filling (or beef filling), added with scallions, ginger and other seasonings, rolled into a thin cake and fried in a pan until golden on both sides, with a crispy outer skin and tender and juicy inner filling. The meat pie with a diameter of about 15 cm is priced at 5-8 yuan each, which can be used as a staple food or a snack, and is a popular convenient food among local residents and tourists.
Surrounding Featured Food
There are many characteristic restaurants in the center of Hengdian Town and surrounding villages, offering delicious foods from various places in Zhejiang. For example, the native chicken soup in "Hengdian Old Stove" restaurant uses local free-range native chickens, simmered in a traditional stove for 2 hours, with clear soup and tender meat, priced at 88 yuan per serving; the preserved vegetable braised pork in "Jiangnan Restaurant" is steamed with Shaoxing preserved vegetables and pork belly, salty and delicious with rice, priced at 45 yuan per serving. In addition, in Huxi Town, 5 kilometers away from Hengdian World Studios, you can taste the authentic "Huxi Tofu Skin", made of soybean milk film, which can be eaten cold or in soup, with a delicate taste, and is a famous local specialty.
Tickets
Single scenic spot tickets start at 49 yuan, and multi-scenic spot combined tickets start at 95 yuan.
You can search for the official public account "横店影视城" on WeChat to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of each scenic spot are slightly different. The regular opening hours are 8:30-17:30 (8:30-17:00 from November to February of the next year in winter); Dream Valley is a nighttime opening scenic area, with opening hours from 16:00-21:00 (extended to 22:00 from July to August in summer).
The time of performing arts programs in the scenic area is adjusted with the seasons. For example, the "Courtiers' Congratulation" in the Ming and Qing Palaces is held at 10:00 and 14:00 every day; the "Dragon Emperor's Arrival" in the Qin Palace is held every hour; the "Fantasy Tai Chi" in Dream Valley starts at 20:00, and "Torrent and Mountain Flood" starts at 19:00. The specific program time can refer to the official website of the scenic area or the on-site announcement. During holidays, some scenic spots will extend their opening hours to 18:00.
Tour Route
Recommended 3-day tour route: Visit the Ming and Qing Palaces in the morning of the first day (3 hours), watch court performances and experience costume shooting; go to Along the River During Qingming Festival in the afternoon (2.5 hours), feel the urban culture of the Northern Song Dynasty and enjoy the performance "A Dream of Bianliang"; visit Dream Valley from evening to night (5 hours), experience amusement facilities and watch the performances "Torrent and Mountain Flood" and "Fantasy Tai Chi". Visit the Qin Palace in the morning of the second day (2.5 hours), experience the "Dragon Emperor's Arrival" project; visit Guangzhou Street · Hong Kong Street in the afternoon (2 hours), watch the performance "Striving for Hegemony on the Angry Sea" and feel the style of the Republic of China. Visit the Ming and Qing Folk Residence Expo in the morning of the third day (2 hours), admire the Jiangnan folk residence architecture; go to the Chinese Culture Park in the afternoon (1.5 hours) to understand the development process of Chinese culture. This route covers major scenic spots, with a well-paced itinerary, suitable for a comprehensive experience of Hengdian's film and television and cultural characteristics.
Transportation
- Airplane: The nearest airport to Hengdian is Yiwu Airport, about 40 kilometers away. There is a direct bus from the airport to Hengdian, with a journey of 1 hour and a fare of 30 yuan; Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is 160 kilometers away from Hengdian, with a direct airport bus to Hengdian, a journey of 2.5 hours and a fare of 85 yuan.
- Train/High-speed Rail: The nearest high-speed rail station is Yiwu Station, 36 kilometers away. Take bus No. 805 from Yiwu Station to Yiwu Passenger Transport Center, then transfer to a bus to Hengdian, with a total journey of about 1.5 hours and a fare of 25 yuan. In addition, Dongyang Station, 18 kilometers away from Hengdian, has direct buses every 30 minutes, with a journey of 40 minutes and a fare of 10 yuan.
- Self-driving: Starting from Hangzhou, drive along Shanghai-Kunming Expressway to Ningbo-Jinhua Expressway, exit at Hengdian, with a total distance of about 160 kilometers and a journey of 2 hours; starting from Shanghai, go to Hengdian via Shanghai-Kunming Expressway and Ningbo-Jinhua Expressway, with a total distance of about 380 kilometers and a journey of 4.5 hours; there are free parking lots between various scenic spots in the scenic area, with a total of 5,000 parking spaces.
- Transportation within the scenic area: The distance between various scenic spots in Hengdian World Studios is 2-5 kilometers. You can take the free circular bus in the scenic area, with a departure every 30 minutes, covering major scenic spots and hotels; you can also rent shared bicycles at 10 yuan per hour, convenient for short trips.
Must-visit Attractions
- Ming and Qing Palaces: A super large scenic area of 1,500 mu, replicating the core buildings of the Forbidden City on a 1:1 scale. It is the filming location of hit dramas such as "Empresses in the Palace", with more than 3 court performances every day. It allows in-depth experience of royal culture and is a must-visit place to understand the historical features of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
- Qin Palace: A 600-mu scenic area with Qin and Han architectural style, the 44.8-meter-high Xianyang Palace is magnificent. The "Dragon Emperor's Arrival" 4D project brings an immersive experience. Blockbusters such as "Hero" were filmed here, showing the grandeur of the Qin and Han dynasties.
- Dream Valley: A 430-mu nighttime theme park. The two real-scene performances "Torrent and Mountain Flood" and "Fantasy Tai Chi" combine special effects and cultural connotations. More than 20 amusement facilities are suitable for tourists of all ages, and it is the core attraction of Hengdian's nighttime tour.
- Along the River During Qingming Festival: A 600-mu scenic area restoring the style of the Northern Song Dynasty capital. The 16-meter-long Rainbow Bridge is a classic. The performance "A Dream of Bianliang" reproduces the prosperity of the Song Dynasty, allowing tourists to intuitively feel the urban life in "Along the River During Qingming Festival".
Travel Suggestions
- It is recommended to spend 3 days visiting, so that you can fully explore the main attractions and watch the core performances, avoiding a too rushed itinerary.
- Check the schedule of performances at each attraction on the official website of the scenic area in advance to arrange your trip reasonably. For example, for "Fantasy Tai Chi", you need to enter 30 minutes in advance to get a seat, as popular performances are usually fully occupied.
- Experience the costume rental service in the scenic area. There are rental points in attractions such as the Ming and Qing Palaces and Along the River During Qingming Festival. The rental fee for costumes is 50-200 yuan per day (including makeup), which makes taking photos more atmospheric.
- Choose to stay in hotels in the center of Hengdian Town or around the scenic area, such as "Hengdian VIP Building" and "International Trade Building". These hotels are 1-3 kilometers away from various attractions and provide breakfast and shuttle services to the scenic area.
- It is recommended to bring rain gear when visiting Dream Valley in summer, as the performance area of "Torrent and Mountain Flood" may get splashed with water; in winter, you need to keep warm, as the temperature in the scenic area is relatively low at night.
Matters Needing Attention
- The use of drones for aerial photography is prohibited in the scenic area. If you need to take photos, you must apply to the scenic area management office in advance. Unauthorized aerial photography will be stopped.
- When encountering film crews shooting, you must follow the instructions of the on-site staff, must not arbitrarily enter the shooting area, and must not take photos with flash, so as not to affect the shooting progress.
- Each attraction is relatively large, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes. The daily walking distance is about 8-10 kilometers; in summer, pay attention to sun protection, and you can bring a sun hat and sunscreen.
- Commodities in the scenic area are relatively expensive. You can buy drinking water, snacks, etc. in Hengdian Town, where the prices are 30%-50% cheaper than in the scenic area.
- There are many tourists during holidays (such as May Day, National Day). It is recommended to buy tickets 1-2 days in advance and enter the park during off-peak hours (such as entering at 8:30 when the park opens) to avoid queuing.
- Some performance venues are open-air or semi-open-air, and may be adjusted or canceled in case of rain. It is recommended to check the weather forecast before traveling and pay attention to the real-time announcements of the scenic area.