Black Myth: Wukong Sparks Tourism Boom in Shanxi
Taiyuan, Shanxi Province – The release of the highly anticipated action RPGBlack Myth: Wukong has sparked a surge in tourism interest for the northern Chinese province of Shanxi, known for its rich history and cultural heritage. The game, which features meticulously recreated landmarks and cultural treasures from across China, has captivated gamers worldwide and become a focal point for the travel industry.
Seeing my hometown’s Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda in ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ filled me with immense pride and excitement, shared Wang Chengzhe, a student at Hohai University’sBroadcasting and Hosting Department. It’s truly amazing to see our cultural heritage showcased on a global stage.
The game, developed by the Chinese studio Game Science, features 36 real-world locations across China, with a staggering27 of them located in Shanxi. The province, often referred to as a paradise for ancient architecture enthusiasts, has seen a significant increase in online searches and bookings since the game’s launch on August 20th.
Travel platforms like Ctrip and Qunar reported a surge in searches for Shanxi, with specific cities like Datong and Shuozhou experiencing a 20% increase in search volume. The search index for Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi, on Qunar rose by 10% compared to the previous week and by 40% compared to the previous hour.
Tongcheng Travel data showed a 17% increase in searches for Shanxi tourism on August 20th, with Shuozhou and Jincheng seeing a 91% and 63% increase respectively. Online travel platform Fliggy reported a doubling of Shanxi tourism interest compared to the previousmonth, with landmarks like the Yuhuang Temple, Chongfu Temple, Xiaoxitian, Tiefo Temple, and Shuanglin Temple experiencing a significant surge in popularity.
The game’s influence extends beyond search trends. Social media platforms are buzzing with users expressing their desire to visit the real-life locations featuredin the game. Many bloggers have shared their experiences exploring the actual sites, further fueling the excitement.
I really want to go there, commented one user on a popular social media platform. Another user suggested creating a dedicated tourism route based on the game’s locations.
Wang Chengzhe noted that hisclassmates are eager to see the real-life versions of the game’s settings, particularly the Hanging Temple. One of my classmates said that seeing the Hanging Temple suspended on the cliffside, still standing today, filled him with awe and curiosity. He wants to climb it and experience it for himself, he shared.
Shanxi’s tourism authorities have been actively preparing for this moment. On the day of the game’s release, the Shanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism published an article titled Long Time Coming! Let’s Travel Shanxi with Wukong, highlighting their collaboration with the game’s developers.
Zhang Qing, Director of the Publicity and Promotion Department at the Shanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, revealed that the collaboration began in July 2022. We felt that the game’s content was a perfect match for Shanxi’s cultural resources and aligned with our goal of promoting a modernand fashionable image of Shanxi tourism, she explained.
The department worked closely with the provincial cultural relics authorities to facilitate the filming and selection of locations for the game, ensuring the protection of the historical sites.
Black Myth: Wukong has become a powerful tool for promoting Shanxi’scultural heritage and tourism potential. The game’s success, coupled with the province’s proactive efforts, has created a unique opportunity for Shanxi to capitalize on this windfall and showcase its rich history and cultural treasures to a global audience.
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