Shanxi's wonders inspire art of hit game

"When they had their last shooting trip here in July, a deputy head of our county government, who is familiar with local history and culture, offered to become their guide," said an official in charge of the Xiaoxitian — or Small Western Paradise — scenic area in Xixian county.

Shanxi's tourism and cultural heritage authorities also attached great importance to the game production team, requiring local officials to offer assistance.

The cooperation between Shanxi and Game Science has achieved a win-win result. Shanxi's tourism authorities and operators have been authorized to use the game to promote its cultural tourism attractions.

In June, when Game Science began to launch presale promotional campaigns, the Shanxi Culture and Tourism Department also began a series of promotional campaigns featuring the Wukong-related scenic sites.

Following the game's launch, the department released a promotional video entitled Travel Shanxi with Wukong. The video follows in the footsteps of the Monkey King and takes viewers on a virtual tour of renowned attractions, including the Yungang Grottoes and Huayan Temple in Datong; Nanchan Temple in Xinzhou; Yingxian Wooden Pagoda and Xiaoxitian.

Officials at the department also said that social media uploaders are encouraged to create new works for Shanxi's ancient buildings featured in Black Myth: Wukong. Excellent works will be awarded and subsidized by the department.

During the 2024 Digital Culture and Tourism Brand Innovation Conference held in Taiyuan from Aug 22-25, the Travel Shanxi with Wukong campaign was officially launched, introducing three themed tourism routes and an eight-day Shanxi ancient architecture self-driving tour.

These routes connect real-life locations depicted in Black Myth: Wukong, inviting tourists to experience Shanxi through the game's lens.