This summer, several Chinese films brought more than stories to the big screen. They also put some real locations in the spotlight.

Some of the desert scenes in the war drama Once Upon a Time in the Middle East, directed by Wen Muye and starring Shen Teng, were filmed in Shitanjing, Ningxia. Once an important coal-mining area, Shitanjing still has old industrial sites. Its deserts, rocky valleys and open land also made it a good stand-in for the Middle East.

As a film produced in Chengdu, All Wishes Come True! features many local cultural elements. Qingcheng Mountain in Chengdu provided inspiration for some of the film's temple scenes and mountain views. The site is known for its Taoist history and serene beauty. The film also includes everyday details such as Chengdu hotpot, reflecting the city’s lively food culture.

In sport comedy Kung Fu Soccer, a women's soccer team trains on a beach in Shenzhen. The scenes were filmed at Xiyong Beach in the city's Dapeng New Area. Today, visitors can still walk along the same stretch of coast, with the beach and sea in front of them.