Popular films are boosting the tourism industry of southwest China's Sichuan Province, as visitors flock to its destinations ranging from temples tied to mythological heroes to cozy cafes and restaurants depicted in recent blockbusters.

Known for its blend of modern vitality and everyday charm, Sichuan has in recent years become a preferred filming location for Chinese movies and TV dramas.
Building on this trend, the province has launched 14 themed travel routes on a "touring Sichuan through films" program, which integrates cultural landmarks and distinctive settings into immersive tourism experiences.
One such site, the Nezha Palace on Cuiping Mountain in Yibin City, has drawn crowds after it was spotlighted in the Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2," the highest-grossing animated movie of all time globally.
"I watched the Nezha movies before, so I came here to see the Nezha Palace," said tourist Li Yue.
Other stops include a cafe and noodle shop featured in the film Big World, which have become must-visit locations for fans traveling to Sichuan.
"After the movie was released, I felt a strong urge to visit Chengdu. I flew here just to check out the exact spots shown in the film," said Zhou Zhou, a visitor from Yunnan Province.
The cinematic lens highlights all corners of Sichuan: steep gorges in the east, snow-capped mountains and grasslands in the west, historic towns in the south, and the ancient road system known as "Shudao" in the north.
"These routes, connected by film, deeply integrate cultural landmarks and distinctive scenery across Sichuan. They cover themes from urban memories and ancient civilization to panda habitats, red culture, industrial heritage, mythology, literary classics, western Sichuan landscapes, and the legendary 'Shudao,' providing diverse options for visitors," said Fang Wei, director of the industrial development division of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.