Sets to become the star attraction among period drama fans

Hit online thriller The Longest Day in Chang'an has overwhelmed audiences, not just with its gripping storyline, but through the beauty of its depiction of Chang'an - mainly because of the show's spectacular opening scene.

Known today as Xi'an, Shaanxi province, Chang'an was the nation's capital during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

The replica of the ancient city, which has moved audiences with its authenticity, is a film set named the City of Tang and is located at the Xiangshan Movie and Television City in Zhejiang province. It faithfully recreates the symmetrical layout of Chang'an and demonstrates typical Tang Dynasty-style architecture.

The production company behind the TV series consulted historical records, such as maps of Chang'an during the design process, before investing 50 million yuan ($ 7.3 million) in the construction of the site in the county of Xiangshan.

The popularity of The Longest Day in Chang'an has also aroused public interest in the set itself, and many fans have traveled to Xiangshan Movie and Television City to visit the on-screen version of Chang'an in person.

This seems to be a regular occurrence for the studio, as the sets of other popular period shows, such as 2015's Nirvana in Fire and 2017's Eternal Love in 2017, have also proved to be a big draw for fans.

The studio's sets cover many of China's dynasties, spanning the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) all the way through to the 1930s.

These locations have welcomed over 1,200 film and television crews to date, including 162 crews in 2018.

Tourists, however, see them as a destination to visit and perhaps meet - or at least catch a glimpse of - their favorite stars.

Last year, tourist visits to the studio's various sites totaled 2.8 million, an increase of 25 percent over 2017, generating a revenue of 120 million yuan.

"These popular TV series and movies have become our best advertisement to attract tourists," says Chen Jianyu, director of the Ningbo Industrial Zone Management Committee of Film Culture, which is in charge of the studio.

"It also draws more interest from film and television crews," Chen adds, noting that industry insiders will be more familiar with the studio, such as their facilities and services, as a result of the shows.

"Many crews keep coming back because they love our great setting, fresh air and delicious food."

He attributes the studio's success to the official support of the local government and their professional management team.

"Our aim is to build an international movie and television studio. To offer a better environment for film and TV crews, their sets are categorized into two groups. While some only serve purely as sets, such as the City of Tang, others are areas that are mainly open to travelers, and are sometimes used for filming," he says.

However, as more tourists become interested in the City of Tang after watching The Longest Day in Chang'an, they are planning to organize a small number of guided group tours for people who book in advance.

"In the City of Tang, visitors can only come and look, but on sets especially equipped for visitors, it's like a theme park where they can enjoy a more interactive experience in the world of period drama."

In these areas, once tourists enter the old city gates, they become time-travelers to ancient China.

They can walk along streets lined with old architecture and meet vendors in period costume hawking goods. They can enjoy activities ranging from intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship to acrobatics performances and magic shows.

They can also try their hand at dubbing a classic movie clip and creating sound effects, by shaking a box of soybeans to imitate the pitter-patter of rain, for example.

The studio is also a major location for shooting TV dramas based on the martial arts stories of the late Hong Kong novelist, Louis Cha Leungyung (1924-2018), who is better known by his pen name, Jin Yong.

In an outdoor theater, visitors can realize their dream of being a sword-wielding swashbuckler, playing classic roles from Cha's novels such as The Return of the Condor Heroes.

The current site of the studio used to be one of the most impoverished regions of Xiangshan county. When they were mapping out a plan for the studio in 2003, they chose the spot because of its remoteness.

"It was an excellent idea to establish sets for period dramas in a place where there is no modern architecture or overhead wires. After all, you don't want to see such anachronistic gaffes on-screen," he says.

Now, accessibility by road has improved greatly, with highways linking the studio to more populated areas. It's one hour's drive from the airports in Ningbo and Taizhou, and two hours' drive from the airports in Hangzhou and Wenzhou.

The studio's rapid development has boosted a series of related industries such as cleaning, security and property management, and created numerous job opportunities.

Also, the local farmers have boosted their income considerably by opening restaurants, homestays, car rentals and grocery stores.

According to Chen, the nearby villages have 264 homestays, with over 8,000 beds - half the total for Xiangshan county.

"In peak season, their daily income matches their annual revenue as farmers. So many locals have returned to make a living here, rather than become migrant workers."

While the locals reap the rewards of the Chinese love for period dramas, visitors can also hope to catch a glimpse of the stars.

(China Daily Global 07/25/2019 page14)