WORLD · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Hengdian World Studios Introduces Paid Tourist Drama Production to Counter AI‑Driven Attendance Decline
WHY IT MATTERS
The paid drama‑shooting program offers Hengdian a tangible way to offset declining footfall, diversify income, and attract a younger, tech‑savvy audience who may otherwise turn to AI‑generated entertainment.
What happened
Hengdian World Studios, the world’s largest film and TV studio, has launched a new paid service that lets visitors shoot their own short dramas for about 200 yuan (US$30) each. The initiative is a response to a recession in visitor numbers that has been linked to the rise of artificial intelligence, which has reduced demand for traditional set‑tour experiences.
The studio, a 5A‑rated attraction covering 30 sq km and featuring more than 100 sub‑studios that showcase 5,000 years of Chinese history, previously drew crowds to view famous drama sets.
By turning tourists into actors, the studio aims to create a new revenue stream and keep its vast facilities busy.
PRIMARY SOURCES
China film studio lets tourists act in short dramas for US$30 to fight low attendance
South China Morning Post · Fran Lu · Discovery only; publisher copyright and subscription terms apply