Step into White Deer Plain Film Base: Relive Guanzhong Tales from the Pen, Dress Up and Become a Character

When visiting Xi'an, the vibrant and popular Datang Everbright City is a must-see! But if you're looking for a relatively quiet, interesting, and story-rich destination, White Deer Plain is definitely a worthwhile scenic spot. Speaking of White Deer Plain, one cannot ignore the hugely popular novel of the same name. Of course, the literary masterpiece 'White Deer Plain' came first, followed by film and TV adaptations. That shows how hot this work has been, both then and now! As the author Chen Zhongshi once said: 'I want to write a book that can be used as a pillow in my coffin after I die.' And in reality, he did just that! When 'White Deer Plain' was published, it shocked the entire literary world... Over six long years, Chen spent two years preparing and four years writing with deep concentration, finally completing the work at the age of 50. Unfortunately, I haven't read Chen Zhongshi's book yet, but I was lucky enough to visit the setting of the story and the place where it was written. The White Deer Plain Film Base is located in Lantian County, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. Built by Shaanxi Tourism Group, it uses the novel 'White Deer Plain' and the film of the same name as cultural carriers, integrating film and TV production, cultural leisure, children's entertainment, and spectacular performances into a Guanzhong folk cultural industry demonstration base. As soon as you enter the gate of the scenic area through the Wu Pass city gate, buildings and streets full of Guanzhong flavor come into view. The most eye-catching is the full-scale replica of Chen Zhongshi's old residence. In the modest, simple courtyard and rooms, you can still see the original furniture and items as they were in the author's daily life. As you stroll along the paths and pass by the ancestral hall, the opera stage, Guanzhong Square, and the courtyards of Bai Jiaxuan's and Lu Zilin's homes, touching scenes from the film and TV adaptations might flash before your eyes... Although the scenic area is newly built, the city gate archway and an old opera stage are said to be original, with the stage simply renovated and maintained. The tunes sung there are the famous Shaanxi Laoqiang, and like all the architecture on the plain, they exude an air of venerable age! Suddenly, the strains of Guanzhong Laoqiang drift over from not far away—indeed it's this square, and indeed it's that old opera stage restored to its original state. It turns out this is a daily scheduled performance here in White Deer Village. The Laoqiang tunes can be bold and resounding, then grand and heroic, sometimes a low croon that suddenly bursts into wild passion... As the saying goes, 'A single roar tells a thousand years of stories, two hands dancing command a million soldiers.' Standing under the shade of a large tree in the square, with blue sky and white clouds overhead and the midday sun shining, a gentle breeze from the plain wafts by. The pleasant summer wind carries the melodious strains of Laoqiang into the open sky above the square. At this moment, you seem to instantly travel back into the drama, into that unforgettable era on the plain, with those people and those events... Visitors are scattered around the square and the surrounding buildings. Some sit at snack stalls, munching on local treats while listening to Laoqiang. More tourists are striking poses for photos in the small courtyards with earthen walls and grey tiles. Some even bring their own costumes or simply rent one on the spot to immerse themselves in the role-play and capture a bit of their own drama here on the plain... If you follow this rhythm of strolling, snacking, and sightseeing, the time spent is neither too long nor too short. But if you think that's the end of the visit, you're mistaken. The most interesting immersive performance, 'White Deer Plain: The Tale of Heiwa,' is about to take the stage at the film dream factory on the plain. As soon as you step through the gate of the White Deer Plain Film Base's dream factory, racks upon racks of costumes and props catch your eye. Then staff begin introducing and persuading visitors to change into performance costumes. It turns out this immersive role-playing show needs everyone to participate. Look, even before the show starts, visitors in costume are already getting into character, acting out the roles they want to play in the setting... When the director, who also serves as the voice-over host, gives the order, the show begins! Scenes from the 'White Deer Plain' film and TV series unfold before the audience (who are also extras). Someone might ask, 'Which ones are the visitors in costume? What roles are they playing?' See, the common folk characters below are all played by tourists, each with their own part and even lines. The actions are simple—mostly just raising hands and shouting things like 'Don't kill him' or 'Kill him.' Yet, such a simple gesture or line might just win you the Best Supporting Actor award in the post-show review! The crew films the entire performance, and your scene will be sent to you as a short clip on your phone. So, you can really get your acting fix at the White Deer Plain Film Base's dream factory! So, isn't White Deer Plain Film Base exactly as I said—a fun, story-filled destination well worth visiting? The best part is that in this storied place, you might just get a role of your own. How you'll play it and bring it to life... well, that's entirely up to you.