The Chinese video game "Black Myth: Wukong", an action role-playing game that has become an instant hit at home and abroad, has ignited a surge of tourism to southwest China's Dazu Rock Carvings, which was featured in the game.
The game's authentic depiction of traditional Chinese architecture has had a notable impact on tourism. About 36 sites in China provide backdrops for the game, including one in the Dazu Rock Carvings, a scenic spot near China's southwestern municipality of Chongqing.
The Dazu area, a UNESCO heritage site, has attracted a huge influx of tourists since the release of "Black Myth: Wukong" on Aug 20, with many expressing awe at the artwork dating from the ninth to the 13th centuries.
"I traveled to the Dazu area right after I played the game. The rock carvings were exquisite," said Chen Yihao, a tourist.
"The popularity of this game has drawn significantly more tourists to the site, especially young people. They come here to take photos of the locations featured in the game," said Yu Lijuan, a tourist guide at the Dazu Rock Carvings Research Institute.
Developed by Game Science, a startup headquartered in Shenzhen, the game has captivated players and garnered praise from critics, marking what many consider a "milestone" for the Chinese gaming industry.
"Black Myth: Wukong" is Inspired by Wu Cheng'en's iconic 16th-century Chinese novel, "Journey to the West", the "Black Myth: Wukong" takes players into the role of Sun Wukong, the legendary Monkey King, as they embark on an epic journey to vanquish a host of formidable monsters.
'Black Myth: Wukong' unleashes new wave of tourism to Dazu Rock Carvings
The compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Strait celebrated the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival on Thursday at a event in the city of Fuzhou in east China's Fujian Province.
Watching performanes and enjoying festive lanterns, people from near and far across the country celebrated the traditional Chinese festival together.
"The Mid-Autumn Festival is an important traditional holiday of ours symbolizing reunion and completeness. I believe that if compatriots on the both sides of the Taiwan Strait can work together, we will surely create a bright future together," said Margaret Chiang, who was born in Taiwan and is now serveing as the current director of the Taiwan compatriots investment enterprises association of Fuzhou.
"The interaction between the two sides, and the feelings shared by the people of both sides, as you can see, are from the bottom of their heart. It feels really good," said Andrew Hsia, vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party.
Younger generations in the Taiwan region see more deveopment opportunities in the mainland, and the integrated development projects across the Taiwan Strait has been implemented for a year.
"We have the same roots. People in Taiwan can come to the mainland, and vice versa to enhance exchanges," said Chiu Pin-ping, a cultural and creative designer from Taiwan.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the night when the moon reaches its fullest and brightest on the 15th day of the eighth month on the lunar calendar. This year, the day falls on Sept. 17. During the festival, families reunite, admire the moon, share moon cakes and light up lanterns.
Cross-strait event held to mark upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival
