If you’re looking to unlock the “Celebrity for a Day” experience at Hengdian World Studios, you won’t want to miss this comprehensive guide!
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about transportation, accommodation, and attractions.
Transportation Guide
Plane
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to Hengdian
Take a flight to Xiaoshan Airport and then take the airport shuttle bus to Hengdian. - Yiwu Airport to Hengdian
Take a flight to Yiwu Airport, then take bus No. 7 to Yiwu Railway Station. From there, take the intercity bus to various attractions and hotels in Hengdian. The bus operates every 20 minutes from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm daily.
High-Speed Train
- Yiwu Railway Station
At Yiwu Railway Station (Bus Stop No. 7), take the intercity bus that operates every 20 minutes from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm daily, directly to various attractions and hotels in Hengdian. - Hangzhou East Railway Station
From Hangzhou Railway Station, take the “Hengdian-Hangzhou East Railway Station” tourism express bus. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours and costs 80 yuan per person.
Car
Navigate to Hengdian Town, and follow the signs for Hengdian World Studios.
Accommodation Guide
There are numerous hotels in and around Hengdian, including some where celebrities have stayed. You might even have a chance encounter with a star!
Many hotels offer themed rooms for a fully immersive experience. There are also hotel + ticket combo packages available. When booking, pay attention to the distance between the hotel and the studio.
Qin Empire Palace
The Qin Empire Palace, modeled after the Xianyang Palace of the Qin Dynasty, was built for the historical epic film “The Emperor and the Assassin” directed by Chen Kaige. It is the most popular attraction in Hengdian and the largest Qin and Han themed scenic area in China.
Covering an area of 800 acres with a building area of 110,000 square meters, the palace features 27 majestic halls. T
he main hall, “Four Seas Converge,” stands 44.8 meters tall and covers an area of 17,169 square meters. The 2,289-meter-long and 18-meter-high city walls, together with the palace halls, vividly showcase the grandeur of the Qin Empire after it unified China.
Many popular TV series, such as “The Legend of Mi Yue,” “Joy of Life,” “Nirvana in Fire,” “Immortality,” and “The Untamed,” were filmed here. Fans can easily find various scenes from these shows and even dress up in Warring States period costumes for photos.
Must-Try Activities:
“Empire and Kingdom,” “Enter the Qin Dynasty,” “Dream Back to Qin and Han,” “Heroes’ Sword Competition,” etc.
Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival
The Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival is another must-visit attraction in Hengdian. Covering an area of over 600 acres, it is built based on the famous painting of the same name by the Northern Song artist Zhang Zeduan.
This attraction recreates the bustling street scenes of the Song Dynasty. The Yong’an Building from the TV series “Dream of Splendor” was filmed here, as well as other popular series such as “The Untamed,” “The Story of Minglan,” “Legend of Fuyao,” and “Chinese Paladin 3.”
The main highlight is the immersive performance experience, with various NPCs (non-player characters) performing on Xiaoyu Street, such as the flower goddess parade and Lord Bao’s trial.
Visitors can also take photos with the NPCs, making it perfect for those who love taking pictures.
Must-Try Activities:
“A Dream of Bianliang,” “Being an Extra at Hengdian,” “Dragon and Phoenix Dance,” etc.
Ming and Qing Palace
The Ming and Qing Palace is essentially a replica of the Forbidden City, built to a 1:1 scale of the original in Beijing. It is the largest film and television base in Hengdian World Studios.
The architectural scenes are grand and magnificent, and if you dress up in Ming and Qing style costumes for photos, the results will be truly stunning.
The similarity between this palace and the Forbidden City in Beijing is astonishing. Each individual building is a 1:1 replica, with only the “Tiananmen” being reduced by 20%.
The names of the gates also follow those used in the Ming and Qing periods: “Chengtian Gate,” “Daming Gate,” “Chengtian Gate,” and “Meridian Gate,” followed by the Taihe Gate, with the Qianqing Palace marking the end of the central axis.
Many period dramas, such as “Empresses in the Palace,” “Story of Yanxi Palace,” and “Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace,” were filmed here. Every corner can be used to recreate scenes from these shows, and walking among the red walls and tiled roofs feels like traveling back in time to ancient China.
Must-Try Activities:
“Princess Wedding,” “Eight Banner Horse Battle,” “Forbidden City Ceremony,” etc.
Dream Bund Resort Area
You don’t need to go to Shanghai to experience the unique charm of the city during the Republic of China era.
The Dream Bund is a comprehensive film and tourism resort area centered around film and television experiences, based on the theme of old Shanghai culture and integrating multiple business formats.
The entire scenic area takes old Shanghai from the 1920s to 1940s as its main prototype, recreating the eclectic architectural style of old Shanghai that blended buildings from various countries, showcasing the unique urban charm of that time.
Be sure to take a ride on the tram, passing by the Peace Hotel, HSBC Bank, Customs House, Garden Bridge, Broadway Mansions, and Wing On Department Store.
Finally, watch a performance at the Broadway Theatre, one of the three major shows in Hengdian.
The performance lasts 60 minutes and takes place on a water stage. It includes singing, dancing, acrobatics, pole dancing, and a water dance show, which is truly spectacular.
Must-Try Activities:
“Life and Death Rescue,” “Havoc in Heaven,” “Broadway Dance Show”
Guangzhou Street and Hong Kong Street
Guangzhou Street and Hong Kong Street was the first scenic area built in Hengdian in 1996 to accommodate the filming of “The Opium War” directed by Xie Jin.
It is the birthplace of Hengdian World Studios and recreates Guangzhou and Hong Kong around 1840.
The entire scenic area consists of two parts: Guangzhou Street and Hong Kong Street. It is an immersive experience resort that integrates sightseeing, leisure experiences, themed hotels, dining, themed museums, and film and television entertainment experiences.
Here, it feels like stepping into a Hong Kong drama or a Republic of China-era show. Every visitor has the opportunity to dress up in costumes from the shows and join the actors in portraying the lively scenes of Hong Kong Street.
Under the glittering lights, the characters from the shows and the visitors transcend the boundaries between fiction and reality, immersing themselves in the blended scenes.
Many well-known period dramas, such as “The Disguiser,” “The Mystic Nine,” and “Lurk,” were filmed here.
Must-Try Activities:
“Stormy Seas,” “The Legend of Fei Hong”
Dream Valley
Dream Valley covers an area of 430 acres and is a large-scale nighttime film and television experience theme park that focuses on displaying natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions and rainstorm-induced mountain floods, as well as natural landscapes. It features a variety of amusement facilities, performances, and highly interactive activities.
This area opens at 3:00 pm, and the experience is even better at night with various fountains and light shows. It is highly recommended for families with children, as there are many fun amusement projects!
Must-Try:
“Dream Tai Chi,” “Rainstorm Mountain Flood”
It is important to note that Hengdian World Studios consists of 6 scenic areas and 1 theme park, each requiring a separate admission fee (specific pricing policies are subject to the real-time ticket prices of the scenic area).
You can choose the scenic spots that suit your preferences and schedule, or opt for a package ticket for better value.
The above is the “Hengdian World Studios Travel Guide” compiled by the editor. Quickly call your “drama enthusiast” friends and come to Hengdian to indulge in your acting dreams together!
