An image of the Chinese action game "Black Myth: Wukong" /IC
The highly anticipated Chinese action game "Black Myth: Wukong" officially launched on August 20, captivating gamers worldwide and sparking a frenzy of exploration at the breathtaking locations featured in the game.
The game showcases 36 real-world locations across China, with 27 situated in Shanxi Province. This land, rich in history and mystery, has thus become the game's "star attraction."
An undated photo shows the intricate interior view of Xixian Xiaoxitian in Xixian County, Linfen, Shanxi Province. /IC
Shanxi Province is home to the largest number of ancient buildings in China. According to local authorities, the province currently boasts 53,875 immovable cultural relics, including 28,027 ancient buildings, accounting for about one-tenth of the country's total. Shanxi also leads the nation with 531 nationally recognized heritage sites. Notably, the province houses 509 wooden structures dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) or earlier, representing over 80% of such buildings in China.
From Mount Wutai to Pingyao Ancient City, and the majestic Hukou Waterfall, Shanxi's beauty is vividly brought to life in "Black Myth: Wukong," offering players and tourists a magical journey from the virtual world to reality.
An undated photo shows the sculptures in the Yunlin Temple, Datong, Shanxi Province. /IC
According to China's online travel agency Trip.com on August 20, from midnight to noon, Shanxi Province saw a more than 10% increase in search activity compared to the previous day, with cities like Datong and Shuozhou experiencing a 20% surge.
Similarly, another online travel platform Fliggy reported that on the game's launch day, Shanxi tourism interest doubled compared to the previous month, with sites like Yuhuang Temple, Chongfu Temple, Xixian Xiaoxitian, Tiefo Temple, and Shuanglin Temple seeing significant spikes in popularity.
A photo taken on July 12, 2024 shows the majestic Hukou Waterfall in Linfen, Shanxi Province. /IC
In fact, the collaboration between local authority and the game developers began as early as four years ago.
"Since 2022, we have coordinated promotional activities with the game developers at key moments, which already attracted some attention. Now that the game has launched, its high-tech and digital presentation not only breathes new life into Shanxi's ancient architecture but also opens new avenues for the province's cultural tourism industry," said a representative of Shanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.