An immersive battle experience at Linyi's Hongsao Hometown Tourism Area in Shandong province was a major draw during the May Day holiday, with visitors praising it as both thrilling and educational. Titled Charge with the Commander to Take the County Town, some tourists called the experience a journey that "transports you back to the passionate fervor of the wartime era".

Immersive shows featuring red history gather a flock of visitors. [Photo/WeChat account: ymhsys]

The 25-minute experience recreates a 1941 battle scenario from the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Thousands of visitors, cast as civilian volunteers enlisting in the army, first attend a "pre-battle mobilization" rally. Three "companies" of "soldiers" then converge at a replica city wall and launch a coordinated assault under the commander's orders. Participants wield props to "engage" with "enemy forces", culminating in a victory celebration after "liberating" the county.

From scripted murder mysteries to role-playing scenarios, attractions are transforming passive sightseeing into hands-on engagement. By blending culture with tourism, these projects offer multi-sensory encounters that resonate emotionally — a shift experts say aligns with modern demands for meaningful, value-driven travel.