NPC interactive performances revitalize scenic tourism in Linyi

NPC interactive performances have become a core highlight of scenic spots across Linyi, reshaping traditional sightseeing into immersive experiential travel and driving robust growth in cultural tourism consumption.Yayugou Scenic Area in Lanling County pioneered large-scale NPC operation with 40 full-time performers playing different historical and folk roles such as Li Bai and the iconic character Ruhua. Every visitor can engage in poetic exchanges, interactive banter and hidden mission games with actors. Tourists can collect exclusive silver notes through interactions to exchange local snacks and handicrafts.

Wang Peng, the actor of Ruhua from Jilin, wins wide popularity among visitors with vivid cross-dressing performances. Wang Zhen, who portrays Li Bai, delved deep into the poet’s life and classic poems before taking the job. He chose Yayugou because of the well-known line "Orchid wine carries rich fragrance" linking Li Bai and Lanling, enabling more authentic interactive poetic performances.

Compared with the same period last year, tourist arrivals at the scenic spot have surged five times, and average visitor stay duration has extended from 2 hours to 6 hours. The proportion of out-of-town tourists has risen notably since the Dragon Boat Festival, and local homestays maintain full bookings on weekends. Local agricultural specialties have also gained popularity as tourist souvenirs.

Many scenic spots in Linyi have rolled out featured NPC programs. Langya Ancient City arranges 300 daily street interactive performances; Mengshan Scenic Area combines fairy NPCs with night beach parties; Tianmeng Mountain launches ancient costume galas; Deng Huo Lanshan has upgraded its summer NPC performance team.

Operators note that successful NPC projects must be rooted in local cultural heritage rather than blind imitation. Integrating regional history, poems and folk customs into character settings can sustain long-term popularity and turn scenic spots into immersive cultural venues.

Editor：韩蒙蒙