Stepping into the mythical world of Wukong

For fans of the blockbuster action role-playing game Black Myth: Wukong, its mythical landscapes, intricate props, and larger-than-life characters have long been familiar, albeit only through a screen. Now, visitors can step into that mythology, literally, until May 21.

At the Art Museum of the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, a stunning exhibition transforms pixels into physical presence. Visitors can walk through lifelike recreations of the game's iconic scenes, admire detailed concept art, and even come face-to-face with a life-size replica of the Destined One, a mysterious figure closely linked to Sun Wukong, or Monkey King, the legendary figure from the literary classic Journey to the West.

The Black Myth: Wukong Art Exhibition isn't just a side event. It's a cultural extension of the game's runaway success, drawing thousands who want to see, touch, and live in the world they've only explored on screens.

Released seven days in advance, tickets are consistently sold out within seconds and many eager fans are staying up late into the night to grab them the moment they go live. Fans also flock to social media platforms like Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, to share strategies for securing a spot.

User "MengmengHao" wrote: "It was unbelievably beautiful and breathtaking; definitely worth staying up until 2 am scrolling on my phone to get tickets. Whether or not you're a gamer, it's worth a visit. You can truly feel the charm of Eastern culture behind the game."

Designed around the game's world, the exhibition aims to dissolve the boundary between digital and physical art. It showcases around 900 items that invite visitors into the creative process, including never-before-seen original artwork, fieldwork photos, character models, statues and a wide range of collectibles.