URUMQI: The popularity of the television series To the Wonder, which is set in Altay prefecture in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, has generated great interest in the area and made it a sought-after travel destination.
Since the show premiered in May, picturesque Habahe county has seen a surge in visitors eager to explore the stunning alpine meadows and landscapes featured in the series. In late August, tourists flocked to the area, swarming a reproduction of the show’s iconic grocery store where some of the protagonists made a living. The local culture and tourism bureau has accurately recreated the store with vintage beds, faded wall art, and cabinets with peeling paint. A nearby tree with hanging horse skulls echoes a touching plotline of the show.
Coffee truck operator Li Shiqi and his wife drove to the scenic spot from Southwest China’s Yunnan province in mid-May when the TV series had just debuted.
“As we had just arrived, the scene (from the show) hadn’t been set up and few visitors came. Starting from May 20, more and more fans visited because of the drama,” Li said, adding that they were also attracted to the spot by the TV program.
Li set up his business at the scenic spot, and at peak times sold 60 to 70 cups of coffee a day, with the nearby parking lot struggling to accommodate the influx of tourists. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
