Is Hengdian World Studios the China version of Hollywood?
I'll admit, Hengdian World Studios wasn't somewhere I'd been particularly desperate to visit. My friend is interested in Chinese dramas and wanted to go, so when the October holiday came around, I decided to join her. I wasn't really sure what to expect. I knew there were enormous film sets, traditional Chinese buildings, and performances, but I didn't know whether it would be somewhere I'd actually enjoy spending several days. And because we were visiting during China’s October Golden Week holiday, I was fully expecting crowds everywhere.
Well, I couldn’t have been more surprised. We spent four nights in Hengdian, with three full days exploring the studios, and I had an amazing time! From walking through enormous imperial palaces to watching incredible acrobatic performances, there was so much more to Hengdian than I had expected. And the biggest surprise? Even during one of China’s busiest holiday periods, it never felt unbearably crowded. By the end of the trip, I was already planning to return. So, is Hengdian World Studios worth visiting, especially if you’re not a huge Chinese drama fan? Absolutely!
What Is Hengdian World Studios?
Often called China’s Hollywood, Hengdian World Studios (横店影视城) is an enormous film and television production destination in Zhejiang Province. It’s famous for its elaborate sets, which recreate different periods of Chinese history. Instead of visiting one traditional theme park, you’re exploring several separate scenic areas, each with its own atmosphere, architecture, and attractions. One moment you can be walking through a grand imperial palace, and the next you can find yourself exploring streets designed to resemble historic Hong Kong. Many Chinese television dramas and films have been produced here, making it particularly popular with fans who want to recognize locations from their favourite shows. But what surprised me was how much there was to enjoy even without knowing the dramas. Between the architecture, live performances, food, and opportunities to dress in traditional clothing, Hengdian is an attraction in its own right.
Transportation
Getting to Hengdian World Studios from Shanghai we traveled to Hengdian from Shanghai by train. The journey took approximately two and a half hours, making it a relatively easy destination to reach for a short getaway.
Getting Around
Once we arrived, we used a combination of walking and Didi to travel between the different studio areas. One thing that’s important to understand is that Hengdian isn’t just one enormous park where you can walk from attraction to attraction. The different sections are spread around the town. Some are close enough to walk between, while others are easier to reach by car. We found Didi convenient for getting around, particularly after spending hours walking through the studios.
They also have scooters available to rent, you scan it like you would a shared bike and by on your way. Granted these seemed to be the main way to travel, so findng one to use was harder for us. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad on a regular weekend as we were here on a holiday.
Also to note some of the areas were close enough to walk between and they even had gateways between the section in the scenic areas, but they were closed for some reason. So we had to exit the scenic area to then reenter a different section.
My recommendation
Don’t underestimate how much walking you’ll do. Wear comfortable shoes and use Didi when traveling between attractions that are farther apart.
How Many Days Do You Need at Hengdian World Studios?
We stayed for four nights and spent three full days exploring the different attractions. And honestly, I was glad we had that much time. There is so much to see that I wouldn’t recommend trying to squeeze everything into one day.
Each scenic area has its own buildings, attractions, performances, and places to explore. And while it’s possible to visit Hengdian for a shorter trip, you’ll probably have to be selective about which areas you visit. We wanted to experience all the different sections, including the Rocky Grotto, so having three full days gave us more flexibility. It also meant we could enjoy the performances without feeling like we were constantly rushing to the next attraction.
My recommendation: Allow two to three full days if you want to experience several of the main studio areas. If you’re a huge Chinese drama fan or want to take professional costume photographs, you could easily spend longer.
Visiting Hengdian During China’s October Holiday: Was It Crowded?
This was probably one of the biggest surprises of the trip. We visited during China’s October Golden Week holiday. If you’ve traveled around China during a major public holiday, you’ll know that popular attractions can become incredibly crowded. So naturally, I expected Hengdian to be packed. And while there were definitely plenty of visitors, it never felt overwhelming. The studio areas are enormous, and even when certain sections were busy, we could usually walk a little farther and find somewhere much quieter. There were beautiful streets and courtyards where we could enjoy the scenery without being surrounded by people.
I loved that.
It meant we could actually appreciate the buildings and atmosphere rather than constantly trying to navigate through crowds. Of course, this was simply our experience during the holiday, and crowd levels can vary depending on the day, attraction, and performance schedule. But if you’re worried about visiting Hengdian during a busy period, I wouldn’t automatically rule it out. The size of the place makes a huge difference while exploring the different areas of Hengdian World Studios. One of the things that makes Hengdian so interesting is how different the scenic areas are. Rather than feeling like you’re visiting the same attraction repeatedly, each section offers something new. We explored all the areas on our itinerary, including the grotto, and there was plenty to keep us entertained over three days.
Qin Palace (秦王宫)
The Qin Palace area is all about grand architecture. Think enormous palace buildings, towering gates, and dramatic courtyards that make you feel like you’ve stepped into an ancient Chinese historical drama. Even if you don’t recognize the filming locations, the scale of the buildings is impressive. This is definitely an area where you’ll want your camera ready. It’s also a great place to appreciate just how much work goes into creating the elaborate settings used in Chinese historical productions. Palace of Ming and Qing Dynasties (明清宫苑) If you’ve ever wanted to explore an imperial palace setting, this is one of Hengdian’s major attractions. The area recreates grand palace architecture inspired by China’s Ming and Qing dynasties. The scale is incredible, with expansive courtyards, palace halls, and traditional architecture.
It’s easy to imagine why filmmakers use these spaces for historical dramas. And unlike visiting an actual historical palace, you’re exploring a setting built specifically for film and television production. It’s an interesting experience, especially when you think about how many scenes may have been filmed in places you’re walking through.
Along the River During the Qingming Festival (清明上河图)
This was one of the highlights of the entire trip for me. The scenic area felt a but like a fever dream. You had these massive glowing leaves with flowers of all colours. Giant lit up mushrooms. It was as if I had entered Alice in Wonderland. The recreated streets and buildings are beautiful, and there is plenty to explore. But the real highlight was the main performance. It was AMAZING! We watched a theatrical show featuring incredible acrobatics, and it was easily my favourite performance at Hengdian. The performers were so talented, and the combination of movement, staging, and acrobatics made it incredibly entertaining. I honestly wasn’t expecting to be so impressed. If you’re visiting Hengdian, I would make this show a priority. Even if you’re not particularly interested in Chinese dramas or historical settings, the performance itself is worth experiencing.
My biggest recommendation: Check the performance schedule as soon as you arrive and plan your visit around the main acrobatic show.
Guangzhou Street and Hong Kong Street (广州街·香港街)
This area offers a completely different atmosphere from the imperial palace sets. Instead of ancient Chinese architecture, you’ll find recreated streets inspired by historic Guangzhou and Hong Kong. It really feels like your back in the prohibition era. The performances at night are also align with this theme and a must see. This area night performance was also very interactive.
It’s another reminder of how varied the sets at Hengdian are. You can spend one part of your day exploring grand palaces and another walking through streets designed for a completely different historical period. That’s one of the things I enjoyed most about the studios. Every new section felt like a different experience.
Rocky Grotto (屏岩洞府)
We also made time to visit the Rocky Grotto. This is a little different from the elaborate historical film sets. The attraction focuses more on natural scenery, with cliffs, caves, and mountain landscapes. I was glad we included it because it added another type of experience to our trip. After spending so much time exploring recreated towns and palace buildings, it was nice to see something different. If you’re planning a longer visit to Hengdian, it’s worth considering alongside the main film studio areas.
The Other Studio Areas
Hengdian has additional attractions and themed areas, including entertainment-focused parks, historic residential settings, and large-scale recreations of different architectural periods. Each has its own atmosphere, and not every area will appeal equally to every visitor. If you’re only visiting for one or two days, I’d recommend choosing the sections that interest you most rather than trying to see absolutely everything. For us, having three full days meant we could explore a wide range of attractions without feeling too rushed.
Also worth a note is most of the rides and shows are included in your ticket. There some addiotnal activities like photoshoots, pottery, etc... that are additional prices. But for the most part once you enter an area your good to go and just enjoy it.
The Live Performances: Don’t Miss Them!
One thing I really wasn’t expecting was how much I would enjoy the live performances. There are plenty of shows throughout the different scenic areas, and we managed to see quite a few during our visit. Some are smaller performances, while others are much more elaborate productions. For me, the performances really added to the experience. Without them, Hengdian would still be an interesting place to explore because of the architecture and film sets. But the shows make it feel much more like an entertainment destination.
My Favorite: Dream of Bianliang (汴梁一梦) in the Along the River During the Qingming Festival area. The acrobatics were absolutely incredible. It was one of those shows where you find yourself watching in amazement at what the performers can do. I would genuinely recommend making time for it. If you only manage to see a few performances during your visit, this is the one I would prioritize based on my experience.
Travel tip: Performance schedules may change, so check the current times when you enter each scenic area. Some shows may have limited seating so plan your time. All shows we were able to arrive 30-20 minuntes early and get good seats, except for Dream of Bianliang. That one was packed!
Dressing Up in Traditional Chinese Clothing at Hengdian
Another thing Hengdian is fantastic for is traditional Chinese clothing and photography. Throughout the different areas, there are plenty of places where you can rent beautiful traditional outfits. And it’s not just the clothing. Many places also offer hairstyling and makeup to complete the look. Some even have professional photography packages where a photographer takes you around the different scenic areas for a photoshoot. With all the incredible palace buildings, traditional streets, and historical settings, it’s easy to see why this is so popular. I didn’t do a professional photoshoot during this visit, but it’s actually one of the reasons I’m planning to return. I think it would be such a fun experience, especially with the different backgrounds available. If you’re interested in doing this, I’d recommend looking into the available packages and allowing plenty of time. Getting your hair and makeup done, choosing an outfit, and taking photographs can easily become a significant part of your day. And honestly, with settings like these, I think it would be worth it!
Food at Hengdian World Studios
You definitely won’t struggle to find food while exploring Hengdian. There were loads of street snacks available throughout the different scenic areas. I love being able to grab something small while exploring, rather than having to stop for a full restaurant meal every time I’m hungry. And there were plenty of restaurants around the studio areas as well. We never felt like food options were limited. If you’re planning to spend an entire day exploring, you can easily grab snacks along the way and stop for a proper meal when you feel like it. It’s another reason Hengdian works well as a multi-day destination. You don’t need to worry about leaving the area every time you want something to eat.
Is Hengdian World Studios Worth Visiting If You Don’t Watch Chinese Dramas?
This was the biggest question for me before visiting. My friend wanted to go because she was interested in Chinese dramas. I went along without particularly high expectations.
And honestly?
I had such a good time!I think that’s what surprised me most. You don’t have to recognize the filming locations or know the television shows to enjoy Hengdian. The architecture is impressive, the performances are entertaining, and the different areas are fun to explore. There’s also something really interesting about walking through sets that have been built to recreate different periods of Chinese history. And if you enjoy photography, there’s no shortage of beautiful places to take pictures. For Chinese drama fans, I can imagine the experience being even more exciting because you might recognize the places you’ve seen on screen. But for everyone else, there’s still plenty to enjoy.
I would happily recommend Hengdian to someone who has never watched a Chinese drama.
What I Would Do Differently Next Time
Unlike some of my other trips around China, there really wasn’t much about Hengdian that disappointed me. I went in with very few expectations and ended up being pleasantly surprised. We had enough time to explore, saw some incredible performances, and didn’t feel overwhelmed by the holiday crowds. The one thing I would change? Next time, I’m doing the traditional Chinese clothing photoshoot! With so many beautiful settings and professional photography options available, I think it would be such a memorable experience. It’s actually something I’m already planning to go back for. And considering I hadn’t even been particularly interested in visiting Hengdian in the first place, I think that says a lot about how much I enjoyed it.
I would also look at the performance schedule. We just stumbled upon most of the performances we saw and I know we missed a lot! They had different day and night performances in each area as well.
Practical Tips for Visiting Hengdian World Studios
If you’re planning a trip, here are a few things I’d recommend based on my experience:
Don’t try to see everything in one day. Hengdian is enormous, and there’s a lot more to explore than you might expect.
Check performance schedules early. The shows are a major part of the experience, especially Dream of Bianliang.
Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll spend a lot of time walking.
Use Didi between scenic areas. Some sections are spread out, and you don’t want to exhaust yourself traveling between them.
Consider a multi-day ticket package. Compare current ticket options with the specific areas you want to visit.
Allow extra time for traditional costume photography. Hair, makeup, and a professional photoshoot can take several hours.
Don’t assume Golden Week means every corner will be packed. We found plenty of quieter places despite visiting during the holiday.
