Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
Interactive performers reshape tourism at Chinese attractions
Attractions across China are using costumed performers for interactive experiences instead of relying only on sightseeing.
At Hebei province’s Hetou Old Street, visitors can play games, join performances and exchange special attraction-only notes for goods or services.
The Tangshan attraction has about 400 performers during the busy travel season, while a martial arts-themed park in Henan province has also drawn attention with its live scenarios.
These activities turn visitors into participants and reflect a shift from ticket-based tourism toward paid experiences, culture and entertainment.
Hetou Old Street earns beyond admission fees through food, costumes, souvenirs and special performances, while visitors may stay longer and spend more.
A scenic area in Shanxi province has said it plans to spend 30 million yuan to recruit 100 performers, including well-known actors.
The model faces concerns about imitation and uneven service, and tourism experts say attractions need to build experiences around distinctive local culture and maintain quality.
Interactive performers known as NPCs are becoming a feature at tourist attractions across China, where they act out scenes and engage visitors.
The experiences are helping attractions move beyond sightseeing and ticket sales toward activities and cultural offerings that encourage further spending.
At Tangshan’s Hetou Old Street, performers play games, recite poetry and stage scenes with visitors; the attraction has about 400 NPCs during peak season.
A tourism association vice-president said visitor participation and emotional value are key reasons for the format’s popularity.
Experts also warn of repetitive programming, inconsistent service standards and uneven performer skills, and say attractions need distinctive local culture to make the experiences sustainable.
- Who
- Tourist attractions in China and their NPC performers are at the center of the trend. Visitors are taking part in the activities.
- What
- Attractions are using costumed performers for immersive, interactive cultural experiences. The approach is adding activities and spending beyond basic sightseeing and admission.
- When
- The article describes a trend in recent years and reports a visit to Hetou Old Street on October 25. The article was published on October 26, 2026.
- Where
- Tourist attractions across China, including Hetou Old Street in Tangshan, Hebei, and Wansui Mountain Martial Arts City in Kaifeng, Henan.
- Why
- The format offers visitors participation, cultural experiences and emotional value, which the article says match changing tourism demand.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
China’s experience economy reached 18.4 trillion yuan by November, up 22.6% year on year, according to a report cited in the article.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s 2025 statistical report called for developing new tourism formats, including immersive experiences.
A reporter visited Hetou Old Street in Tangshan, where costumed performers interacted with visitors.
China News Service published the article on the rise of NPC experiences at tourist attractions.
- Hetou Old Street
- About 400 NPC performers during peak tourism season
- Hetou Old Street holiday attendance
- An average of 150,000 visitors a day during statutory holidays such as Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day
- Hetou Old Street annual pass
- 168 yuan; allows unlimited visits throughout the year
- China experience economy
- 18.4 trillion yuan by November 2025; up 22.6% year on year
- Situ Town recruitment plan
- 30 million yuan to recruit 100 NPC performers
1 source
What people are saying
The popularity of scenic-area NPCs cannot be separated from two keywords—participatory experience and emotional value.
How to achieve sustainable development is crucial for today’s scenic-area NPC model.
High-quality development of scenic-area NPCs must implement the principle of using culture to shape tourism and bring visitors a higher level of cultural experience.
Compared with sightseeing tourism that rushes from one photo stop to another, the interactive experience brought by NPCs is more memorable and engaging.