An immersive historical drama tour debuts in Qingdao, Shandong province, on Sunday, with participants solving coded missions, creating traditional crafts, and role-playing patriotic stories. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An immersive historical drama tour debuted on Sunday at Zhongshan Road in Shinan district of Qingdao, Shandong province, during the May Day holiday, offering visitors a vivid example of China's fast-growing experience economy.

The interactive production led participants, dressed in traditional attire, through century-old alleyways, where they solved coded missions, took part in traditional craft activities, and role-played patriotic stories.

The program is part of the district's broader push to transform tourism from simple sightseeing into immersive, emotionally engaging experiences.

From improv comedy workshops at former residences of cultural figures to interactive mystery games inside a newly opened vault museum, the district is creating new consumption scenarios centered on participation and storytelling.

The shift reflects changing consumer preferences, as younger travelers increasingly seek emotional value, social interaction, and memorable experiences over traditional shopping.

Local authorities are also hosting seasonal tourism events, including spring flower festivals and winter seagull tours, to turn short-term holiday traffic into year-round tourism spending.