From Earth to the stars: TV drama to retrace legacy of BeiDou system

Yang Lei, director of the hit historical drama Swords Into Plowshares, is expected to direct a new TV drama series Celestial North, which will focus on the development of China's BeiDou navigation satellite system over the decades.

Filming on the new drama will kick off in the first half of 2026. The project will be officially announced at FILMART 2026, Asia's premier film and TV market, which runs from March 17 to 20 in Hong Kong. That's according to a subsidiary cultural communication company of Chengdu Culture and Tourism Development Group based in southwest China.

Company executive Zhao Bin revealed his forward-thinking approach: "Instead of promoting tourism post-filming, we're designing sets and services with future visitors in mind from day one.” This strategy will combine cutting-edge technology, including AI-driven production tools that will enable VR-based location scouting across Sichuan's 21 cities, streamlining logistics for thousands of potential filming sites while fostering sustainable cultural tourism.

The production company will also debut Panda Superhero, a live-action micro-drama series, in the first half of 2026. Both projects exemplify a "film-tourism integration" model. By merging cinematic storytelling with immersive travel experiences, Chengdu Culture and Tourism Development Group aims to redefine industry standards while showcasing China's technological and cultural achievements on a global stage.