Sets to become the star attraction among period drama fans

However, as more tourists become interested in the City of Tang after watching The Longest Day in Chang'an, they are planning to organize a small number of guided group tours for people who book in advance.

"In the City of Tang, visitors can only come and look, but on sets especially equipped for visitors, it's like a theme park where they can enjoy a more interactive experience in the world of period drama."

In these areas, once tourists enter the old city gates, they become time-travelers to ancient China.

They can walk along streets lined with old architecture and meet vendors in period costume hawking goods. They can enjoy activities ranging from intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship to acrobatics performances and magic shows.

They can also try their hand at dubbing a classic movie clip and creating sound effects, by shaking a box of soybeans to imitate the pitter-patter of rain, for example.

The studio is also a major location for shooting TV dramas based on the martial arts stories of the late Hong Kong novelist, Louis Cha Leungyung (1924-2018), who is better known by his pen name, Jin Yong.

In an outdoor theater, visitors can realize their dream of being a sword-wielding swashbuckler, playing classic roles from Cha's novels such as The Return of the Condor Heroes.

The current site of the studio used to be one of the most impoverished regions of Xiangshan county. When they were mapping out a plan for the studio in 2003, they chose the spot because of its remoteness.

"It was an excellent idea to establish sets for period dramas in a place where there is no modern architecture or overhead wires. After all, you don't want to see such anachronistic gaffes on-screen," he says.

Now, accessibility by road has improved greatly, with highways linking the studio to more populated areas. It's one hour's drive from the airports in Ningbo and Taizhou, and two hours' drive from the airports in Hangzhou and Wenzhou.

The studio's rapid development has boosted a series of related industries such as cleaning, security and property management, and created numerous job opportunities.

Also, the local farmers have boosted their income considerably by opening restaurants, homestays, car rentals and grocery stores.

According to Chen, the nearby villages have 264 homestays, with over 8,000 beds - half the total for Xiangshan county.

"In peak season, their daily income matches their annual revenue as farmers. So many locals have returned to make a living here, rather than become migrant workers."

While the locals reap the rewards of the Chinese love for period dramas, visitors can also hope to catch a glimpse of the stars.