So you finished Lost You Forever (长相思) and now you’re sitting there wondering why your own life doesn’t look like a misty mountain painting with three devastatingly attractive immortals competing for your attention. Same. But here’s the thing — those landscapes are real. The fog-draped peaks, the ancient stone caves, the sweeping palace courtyards — you can actually go there. We did the research so you don’t have to spend three hours down a Douyin rabbit hole.
This is your no-nonsense guide to the real filming locations behind the 2023 C-drama that broke the internet. Pack light. Wear comfortable shoes. Maybe bring a Hanfu.
1. Hengdian World Studios (横店影视城) — Where Kingdoms Were Built
Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province
Think of Hengdian as China’s answer to Universal Studios, except instead of a fake New York street, you get a full-scale replica of the Qin Dynasty imperial palace. It covers 330 hectares and has been the backdrop for more Chinese period dramas than you’ve had hot dinners. Lost You Forever used multiple zones here — the Qin Palace (秦王宫) for the West Flame Kingdom’s grand court scenes, the Ming and Qing Palace area for ancient market streets, and the Spring and Autumn Tang Garden for outdoor sequences.
What makes Hengdian genuinely worth your time (beyond the drama pilgrimage) is that it’s a living, working film studio. On any given day you might walk past an actual production crew mid-shoot. The Qin Palace gates are genuinely massive — photos don’t do the scale justice. Rent a Hanfu costume on-site (¥100–200, rental shops everywhere) and you’ll fit right in. The golden hour light on the palace walls is something else.
Fair warning: the complex is huge. If you try to do everything in one day, you’ll end the afternoon limping and slightly delirious. Two days is the move. Prioritize the Qin Palace and the Ming and Qing Palace — those are the Lost You Forever money shots.
How to get there: High-speed train from Shanghai takes about 2 hours (20+ daily departures). From Hangzhou, it’s just under an hour. The station is Hengdian East — from there, taxi or subway to the studios. Yiwu is the closest major city at about 15 minutes by train if you’re already in the area.
2. Xianду Scenic Area, Jinyun County (缙云仙都景区) — The Place National Geographic Called a Secret
Lishui City, Zhejiang Province
National Geographic once called this area “the last secret realm of Jiangnan” and honestly, that tracks. Jinyun’s Xianду Scenic Area is where the production team came for the show’s most visually arresting sequences — the duel between Xiangliu and Tushan Jing, the eerie stone cave scenes, and those wide shots of mist rolling over volcanic rock formations that made you pause the episode just to stare.
The star of the show here is Dinghufeng Peak (鼎湖峰) — a 170-meter freestanding volcanic rock column that rises straight out of the river like something a fantasy novelist invented. Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi wrote about it. It’s that old and that dramatic. The best photo angle is from the opposite bank at Zhutanshan (朱潭山), especially in spring when the cherry blossoms are out or in the morning when mist sits low on the water.
The ancient stone quarry caves (岩宕石窟) are where the show’s more gothic scenes were filmed. Over 1,000 years of hand-carved stone walls, cathedral-scale interiors, and light that filters in at strange angles — it photographs beautifully even on a grey day. Don’t skip it.
One honest note: the scenic area is spread out and public transport between sub-spots is limited. Self-driving is genuinely the best option here. If you don’t have a car, hire a local driver for the day — it’s affordable and saves a lot of frustration.
How to get there: High-speed train from Hangzhou to Lishui Station (~2.5 hours), then 40 minutes by taxi or bus to Jinyun. From Shanghai, add about 30 minutes. Driving from Hangzhou via the G25 expressway takes around 2 hours and gives you the most flexibility.
3. Yongan Stream Valley, Xianju County (仙居永安溪) — The Quiet One That Hits Hardest
Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province
If Hengdian is the spectacle and Jinyun is the drama, Xianju is the exhale. This is where the production filmed the pastoral Huichuntang (回春堂) sequences — the quiet village life where Xiaoyao lives disguised as a physician’s apprentice, washing bowls by the river, pretending she’s not an immortal princess with complicated feelings about three different men.
The Yongan Stream valley is a UNESCO-recognized ecological corridor. The water is genuinely that turquoise color you see on screen — it’s not a filter. Walk the riverside trail at dawn and you’ll get mist-over-water shots that look like ink paintings. Rent a bamboo raft for on-the-water photos that mirror the show’s aesthetic almost exactly.
Xianju National Park surrounds the valley and adds karst peaks, waterfalls, and ancient temples to the mix. It’s easily a full day. The area hasn’t been over-touristed yet — which means you’ll actually be able to enjoy it rather than fighting through selfie sticks. Go before that changes.
How to get there: High-speed train from Hangzhou or Shanghai to Taizhou Station (about 2–2.5 hours), then 1 hour by bus or taxi to Xianju County. Local buses run regularly between Taizhou and Xianju. Taxis for the final stretch are cheap.
Practical Stuff You Actually Need to Know
Best time to go: Spring (March to May) is peak season for all three locations — the scenery is at its most dramatic and the weather is cooperative. Avoid Chinese national holidays (Golden Week in early October, Chinese New Year in January/February) unless you enjoy crowds of biblical proportions.
The Zhejiang Loop: All three locations are in Zhejiang Province and can be combined into a 4–5 day trip. Base yourself in Hangzhou (excellent high-speed rail connections everywhere) and do day trips or overnight stays at each location.
Hanfu rental: Available at Hengdian and increasingly at Jinyun. If you want the full experience, book in advance through Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) — local vendors often have better costume quality than the on-site shops.
Getting to China: Shanghai Pudong (PVG) is your best international gateway for this region. From there, Hangzhou is 45 minutes by high-speed train.
Language: English signage is decent at Hengdian. At Jinyun and Xianju, download a translation app before you go — Google Translate’s camera mode is your best friend.
Three kingdoms, one province. Start planning.