Ever wondered what it’s like to shoot in the shadows of ancient towers, or frame your scene where clouds kiss the mountains?
At Mandarin Film, we’ve spent years helping international filmmakers and broadcasters unlock the cinematic beauty of China. From full-scale productions to on-the-ground fixer support, we’re proud to be your crew behind the camera.
Scroll through these iconic filming locations in China:
1. The Great Wall — Beijing
Speaking about filming in China, there is one place you cannot miss – The Great Wall. Step into history that stretches for thousands of miles. With every curve and climb, the Great Wall offers unmatched scale, texture, and drama — all just a few hours from the capital.
We’ve even had the chance to support a Brazilian circus act as they brought a unicyclist onto the Wall itself — an incredible moment now featured on HBO Max Brasil!
Perfect for: Period dramas, historical documentaries, adventure reality shows.
2. Shangri-La — Yunnan
3,500 meters above sea level, wrapped in prayer flags and morning light — welcome to Shangri-La. Here, the air feels thinner and the stories feel deeper.
Fit for: Spiritual journeys, cultural docs, elevated travel series.
3. Zhangjiajie — Hunan
Looking for fantasy made real? These towering sandstone peaks inspired Avatar‘s floating mountains. With or without CGI, the fog alone will give you chills.
Ideal filming locations for: Sci-fi, fantasy, dreamscape visuals
4. Huangling Village — Jiangxi
Wooden rooftops, sun-dried chilies, and winding alleys — Huangling feels like stepping into a hand-painted postcard. The vibrant rhythm of rural life here is rich with color and culture. Not long ago, we have just wrapped filming one of our all-time favorite reality shows here — Race Across The World Season 5 (UK), it is airing now on BBC One and streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Best for: Travel shows, folk culture
5. Pingyao Ancient City — Shanxi
Pingyao, a living time capsule. Step into Pingyao, one of China’s best-preserved ancient cities, where stone lanes, red lanterns, and centuries-old banks and courtyards tell stories of the past. This authentic setting has also been the backdrop for reality TV shows, bringing history to life on screen.
Check out our previous work filmed here: RATW S4- Danmark
Great for: Historical films, time-travel plots, travel reality-TVs
6. Chongzuo — Guangxi
Tucked in the karst valleys of southern China, Chongzuo is where raw nature reigns. Towering limestone peaks rise above lush canopies, while the endangered white-headed langur swings through ancient forests — a rare glimpse into China’s untamed wild. Check out our previous work filmed here: China’s Secret Monkey Dynasty (CCTV)
Great filming location for: Wildlife and Natural Documentary, ecological filmmakers.
7. Shennongjia — Hubei
Thick forests, ancient mountain legends, and mist-draped trails — Shennongjia is one of China’s wildest green sanctuaries. Home to rare species, deep biodiversity, and hillside bee hives buzzing with life, this remote reserve invites filmmakers to wander, wonder, and look deeper.
Good choice for: Eco-documentary, nature documentaries, wildlife series, and expedition-style shoots that crave authenticity and mystery.
From the cloud-kissed peaks of Shangri-La to the echoing stone streets of Pingyao, filming in China offers a stunning diversity of backdrops for every kind of story. Whether you’re chasing valley mountains, ancient heritage, or rare wildlife, the locations here don’t just support your vision — they elevate it.
At Mandarin Film, we know these landscapes intimately. Our local team has helped filmmakers from around the world capture China’s beauty, complexity, and soul. If one of these places sparked your imagination, or if you’re dreaming up something new. Let’s bring your story to life — right here in China.
