Huayi Brothers Film Town in Zhengzhou’s Jianye District — Visitor Guide & Top Attractions
A Time-Travel through Celluloid: Light and Shadow Theatre
Push open the wooden gate of the film town and it feels like switching on a time machine. Spread across 600 acres, this dream factory blends the everyday life of 20th-century Zhengzhou with cinematic aesthetics, creating the Central Plains’ most striking immersive cultural tourism landmark. Unlike a conventional historic district, every brick here speaks film language and every street is a carefully designed movie set, waiting for visitors to step into the story.
Qipao-clad “Republic-era ladies” glide around Taiji Street corners, street performers deliver selections from Yu Opera, and the rhythmic clap of a film slate echoes from afar — this isn’t a studio, yet it feels more cinematic than one. As Huayi Brothers’ first film-themed cultural tourism project in the Central Plains, the site smartly fuses Henan’s local culture with film industry aesthetics to create a uniquely interactive movie-park experience.
1. Core Attraction: Immersive Film Theme Park
“Entering the frame” is the film town’s most enchanting promise. The design doesn’t merely copy Republic-era architecture; it builds a full cinematic universe through movie-grade art direction. Two main streets each offer distinct atmospheres: Taiji Street recreates the 1920s, blending Eastern and Western architectural styles and evoking an era where traditional martial arts collided with modern civilization. The “Zhengzhou Memories” quarter revives the bustling Dehua Street of old Zhengzhou, with post offices, silk shops, and teahouses lining the lanes.
Most impressive is how the so-called “fourth wall” is thoroughly dismantled — visitors are not just spectators but participants. You might be swept into a street chase at dawn, overhear an undercover handoff in a teahouse by midday, or be invited to join a grand evening parade. This all-day immersive theater transforms standard sightseeing into a fully embodied, lifestyle-oriented travel experience.
2. Architectural Aesthetics and Set Design
Architects drew inspiration from hundreds of classic films and applied a “cinematic architecture” approach to craft this dreamland. An 18-meter Republic-era clock tower serves as the landmark; its weathered brick façade hides modern lighting and sound technology. Taiji Street’s martial arts hall mixes Roman columns with taiji motifs for a distinctive East-meets-West look. Scattered film props — vintage cameras, clapperboards, and lighting rigs — double as delightful set pieces.
Detail control is a highlight: the distressed walls look authentically aged, shop signs use traditional calligraphy and Republic-era typography, and even the paving bricks bear intentional wear marks. These movie-level details give every corner a screen-ready quality — a single snapshot can look like a cinematic still. Photography enthusiasts should focus on these golden viewpoints: the avenue before the clock tower, the martial arts hall corner on Taiji Street, and the Dehua Street archway when it lights up at night.
3. Unmissable Interactive Experiences
What sets the film town apart from typical attractions is its rich lineup of interactive programs. Rent a Republic-era costume at the visitor center (RMB 80–150 per set) and you officially “enter the scene.” Among more than ten daily immersive performances, the most popular is “The Assassination Operation”: audiences are assigned roles and follow NPCs through the district to solve puzzles, culminating in a dramatic assassination sequence.
Traditional craft zones showcase Henan’s deep cultural roots. A shadow-puppet master animates ancient legends with deft fingers; the night-fire ironwork (da tie hua) throws molten iron into the sky, turning 1600°C sparks into a shower of stars; Yu Opera performers stage spontaneous street pieces, their soaring vocals cutting through time. Don’t miss the 3 PM “studio experience,” where visitors learn basic filmmaking techniques and try acting on a real set.
4. Food on the Film Set
The dining options are as theatrical as the sets. The “Capital Memories” food street gathers representative snacks from Henan’s eighteen cities — from Kaifeng soup buns to Luoyang water banquets, from huimian noodles to spicy hot soup — each stall designed like a movie scene. Try the “Director’s Bento” (RMB 48), served in a retro aluminum lunchbox; sitting on a folding chair in a faux film lot gives it extra charm.
For a more refined meal, visit the “Starlight Restaurant,” which recreates the elegant Western-style dining halls of the Republic era. Servers wear vintage uniforms and the menu resembles an old film production notebook. The signature “Filmmaker’s Set” (about RMB 150 per person) includes appetizer, main course, and dessert, each dish paired with a short cinematic story.
5. A Magical Day-to-Night Transformation
When the sun sets, the film town reveals its true magic. Millions of LED lights trace building silhouettes into a dreamscape. The nightly parade “A Road of Drama” at 7:30 PM is a must-see: nearly a hundred performers in splendid costumes march down the main street with song and dance, culminating in a large-scale light show at Taiji Square. The clock tower becomes a giant screen, projecting luminous chapters of Henan’s history and culture.
Practical Tips
– Best time to visit: late afternoon through evening to enjoy both daytime interactions and the nighttime lights.
– Photography: bring a fast lens for low-light shots in the evening shows; mid-day is optimal for colorful street scenes.
– Booking: check showtimes and book interactive performances in advance during peak seasons.
Zhengzhou’s Jianye·Huayi Brothers Film Town offers a cinematic, culturally rooted experience — equal parts stage, museum, and playground — perfect for travelers seeking immersive storytelling, traditional Henan culture, and memorable photo opportunities.
