Beijing Launches Seasonal Film Routes to Boost Tourism from Popular Film Locations

Beijing has officially launched a set of four-season “film and TV location tour routes” (四季影视打卡路线) as part of its “Beijing Big Audio-Visual” (北京大视听) initiative, connecting popular film and drama shooting locations with the city’s cultural landmarks to transform viral film popularity into sustained tourism and consumer spending. The initiative was unveiled at the 22nd China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) in late May 2026, according to CCTV News.

Four Seasons of Film Tourism

The routes are divided into four seasonal themes: “Spring’s Promise” (春天的约定), “Summer’s Encounter” (夏天的相逢), “Autumn’s Harvest” (秋天的收获), and “Winter’s Warm Sun” (冬天的暖阳). The summer route, for example, focuses on cooling escapes, linking waterfront locations such as Shichahai, Beihai Park, the Tree Art Museum, and the Summer Palace with indoor venues like museums and galleries. These routes highlight shooting locations from hit dramas including “The Story of Rose” (玫瑰的故事), “Winter Goes, Spring Comes” (冬去春来), “The Taste of Life” (人间有味), and “Life at This Moment” (此刻的生活).

Digital Platform Goes Live

Alongside the routes, the “We’re Good Friends!” (我们’视’好朋友呀!) film and TV production service platform was officially launched as a mini-program. The platform features over 1,200 certified shooting locations across Beijing’s 16 districts and one development zone, offering crews a full-chain digital service from location scouting to permit applications. As reported by the Beijing Government Portal, the platform enables film crews to submit requests, conduct virtual VR scouting, and manage logistics online, while also helping tourists discover and navigate film-related locations.

Proven Economic Impact

Since the establishment of the “Beijing Big Audio-Visual” production service mechanism in 2024, the initiative has assisted over 50 film and TV productions in shooting across 425 landmark locations throughout the city, including the Bell and Drum Towers, Guomao (CBD), Shichahai, and the Grand Canal. According to Xu Ying (徐莹), Director of the Publicity Center at the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Radio and Television, the mechanism has driven over 350 million yuan (approximately US$48.5 million) in related cultural tourism consumption.

Case Studies: Beihai Park and Langyuan Station

Beihai Park has hosted more than 20 film and TV productions. Zhang Mian (张冕), Director of the Beihai Park Research Office, told CCTV News that “sales are very good” for location-inspired merchandise featuring landmarks like the White Pagoda and Nine-Dragon Wall. The park’s boating services attract 150,000 visitors annually, generating 20 million yuan in revenue, with weekend visitor numbers reaching 50,000 to 60,000.

Similarly, Langyuan Station in Chaoyang District has seen over a dozen TV dramas filmed on its premises. Shao Ningning (邵宁宁), Planning Director of Beijing Capital Langyuan, noted that after each drama airs, online search热度 and visitor numbers increase significantly, with food and beverage consumption rising by 10% to 20%.

Expert Analysis: From Virality to Sustainability

Leng Shuang (冷凇), a researcher at the Institute of Journalism and Communication of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), emphasized the strategic importance of integrating film locations with local culture. “Shooting locations are not just simple filming sites; they must be deeply integrated into the regional cultural context and urban temperament,” he told Guangming Online. “The ancient capital culture, Beijing-flavor culture, and innovative culture should be naturally embedded into the plot creation, injecting story assets and spiritual core into cultural tourism scenic spots.”

Zhang Heng (张恒), Editor-in-Chief of Tencent Video, highlighted the mutual reinforcement between film and cities. “In the short term, a hit drama can activate cultural tourism consumption vitality and enhance the city’s reputation. In the long term, film and TV creation must shoulder cultural missions,” he said.

Policy Framework and Future Outlook

The initiative aligns with Beijing’s “15th Five-Year Plan” (2026-2030), which explicitly calls for promoting cultural and tourism integration. The film location routes represent a concrete implementation of this policy direction, bridging the gap between the creative industry and the consumer economy.

Industry insiders note that the “We’re Good Friends!” platform has effectively resolved long-standing pain points for film crews. Zhang Pingyu (张平豫), Vice President of Beijing Jinyi Tangren Film Industry Co., Ltd., told the Beijing Daily that “in the past, ‘where to shoot, how to shoot, and who to coordinate with’ were industry pain points. Now, from crews finding locations to services delivering locations, the pain points have been effectively resolved.”

As new films and dramas continue to be released, the seasonal routes will be updated, ensuring that Beijing’s film-driven tourism strategy evolves with the cultural landscape. The challenge ahead lies in maintaining tourist interest beyond the initial “viral” period of each production, while managing visitor pressure at popular locations like Beihai Park.