Sifang Road feels like a drama set, with vintage charm along this century-old street. [Photo/WeChat account: Shinanly]

While the 20th Huabiao Film Awards take center stage in Qingdao on April 27, Shinan district quietly steals the scene as the city's cinematic soul. Known as a ''natural film set'', Shinan blends history, architecture, and culture into a living tribute to Chinese cinema.

From the nostalgic courtyards in Successor to the vintage villa in A Little Red Flower, Shinan's neighborhoods are filled with film-worthy charm. Zhongshan Road, home to Qingdao's first Chinese-run cinema, remains a symbol of the city's early movie dreams. Nearby, hand-painted posters and classic box offices echo the golden days of film.

Strolling through Sifang Road or Sanjiangli, visitors can step into drama sets surrounded by retro cafes, teahouses, and boutiques. At Taiping Mountain's cableway, scenes from A Little Red Flower come to life, revealing sweeping views of Qingdao's red roofs and blue seas.

In Romance of Our Parents, Shinan's Huiquan Dynasty Hotel and Badaguan's elegant villas create unforgettable backdrops. Even the city's quieter corners, like Longjiang Road with its colorful murals, or the historic Old Belgian Legation Site nestled among leafy trees, feel like scenes from an art film.

As the Huabiao Film Awards honor excellence in Chinese cinema, Shinan invites everyone to walk the real-life sets, discover its cinematic secrets, and feel the heartbeat of a city born for the screen.