For many people, turning forty is a reminder that one has officially entered a more “mature” stage of life. Perhaps marked by a finer bottle of wine, a beautifully crafted cake, or a grown-up sense of celebration.
But for Ana, who lives in Dubai, maturity has never been about upgrading consumption.
For her, it is about listening to the quiet voice inside, the one that reminds her to stay grounded and authentic, while holding on to the light, bubbly energy that makes her feel forever young. For art and imagination — reminders that creativity and joy don’t make her less mature, they make her more alive.
So instead of choosing the usual big cities featured in every travel guide, she decided to fly to a place that doesn’t even appear on most travelers’ “China itineraries”—Hengdian. To Ana, the real wonder isn’t only in what’s shown to the world, but in the behind-the-scenes symphony—the invisible voices and hands that make every story come alive.
Ana has one-eighth Chinese heritage, and her CircleDNA test even showed 53% Chinese ancestry—something that surprised her and made her roots feel suddenly closer, almost calling her home. She said one of the long-standing wishes on her life list was to someday find her great-grandmother’s family in China—or at least visit the country herself.
Her relationship with film began in childhood: she appeared in commercials for McDonald’s, local chocolate brands, Colgate toothpaste and Maggi noodles — to name only a few. Later came school acting clubs, weekend workshops, and brief stints as an extra on movie and TV sets. But her mother, afraid she might fall too deeply into the industry and struggle to finish her studies, gently steered her away.
Her love and admiration for the art of filming and acting never faded—it simply lived quietly within her. In her younger days, Chinese movies played across the TV at home—unsubtitled, untranslated, yet strangely magnetic. She grew up recognizing tone, emotion, and expression long before she ever grasped the language.
And years later, when C-Dramas finally came with English subtitles, it felt as if she could finally understand the world that had shaped her imagination since childhood. From The Untamed to Ice Fantasy to Legend of Fuyao to Who Rules the World—just a few of her favorites—the fascination only deepened, as she was drawn to the emotions, aesthetics, values, learnings, and rich storytelling of Chinese dramas.
One day, while months into planning a truly memorable 40th birthday experience she could treasure forever, she searched for “C-Drama filming location”. The first name that appeared was Hengdian.
Curiosity led her to click into Hengdian World Studios’ overseas social IG account, intending only to ask a casual question. But the detailed, warm, sincere and patient responses she received felt less like simple travel advice and more like someone gently stitching her dream into reality—one message at a time.
And so, with a simple yet lingering question — “Is this the right place? I only turn 40 once in my life.” — the journey quietly began. What started as a casual search slowly transformed into a moment of clarity, the first gentle yes to creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience for herself.
On her first evening in Hengdian, she thought she was simply attending an immersive performance set in old Guangzhou and Hong Kong.But as the “Step Into the Movie” show neared its finale and fireworks lit up the sky, something unexpected happened—the staff and nearby visitors gathered around her and began singing Happy Birthday.
A cake, candles, warm smiles, and genuine blessings from strangers in a foreign land — it was a moment of pure, unexpected kindness. A simple gesture, yet it held the weight of a memory she knew she would carry for the rest of her life.
Ana cried, not from sadness, but from a warmth that transcended language and culture. Any anxiety about being far from home dissolved in the sincerity she felt. In that moment, Hengdian wrapped around her with the same comforting embrace she had always felt in Dubai, where her family now resides, becoming another unexpected home away from home. For a moment, she said, turning forty felt like returning to the gentle care of childhood — safe, seen, and quietly held.
The next day, the grandeur of the Qin Emperor’s Palace set left her standing in quiet awe. The once-distant scenes she had only admired on screen were now right at her fingertips — and she could hardly believe she was truly there. Pointing at familiar posters, she said with childlike delight and humble wonder, “Only characters in dramas could stand here… and now, somehow, it’s my turn.”
The interactive NPCs at the Qingming Promenade had her laughing nonstop. It brought back another innate part of her — the side that has always loved arcades and anime — making the whole experience feel playfully nostalgic. “I never imagined earning film coins would be part of travel!” she joked, delighted by every quirky moment. And later, the Iron Flower performance left her utterly astonished — especially against the awesome landscape of one ancient Chinese dynasty, brought to life with dramatic lighting effects. “I’ve seen countless fireworks shows in Dubai,” she said, “but never anything like this — a breathtaking fusion of water, fire, history, and light.”
“My coffee turned cold,” she laughed softly, “but watching all of this was worth far more than a warm drink.” Perhaps this is what travel truly means: not drinking coffee in different places, but encountering moments so meaningful that even a perfect cup becomes completely unimportant.
Ana’s day at Hengdian ended with a sumptuous lunch overlooking an incredible view — a quiet moment where she let it all sink in: the stories, the people, the heart behind it all, and the feeling of a dream fully lived.
From airport pickup to hotel check-in, from every small surprise tucked into the scenic areas to that unforgettable birthday song on Guangzhou Street — Ana felt deeply seen, welcomed, and cared for in ways she never expected. It wasn’t just hospitality; it was humanity at its purest. “This trip was priceless,” she said. “I’ll share it with all my family and friends when I’m back.”
Ana came to Hengdian hoping to see the world behind the screen. But when she left, she carried something far greater — a memory so warm, sincere, and personal that she knew it would stay with her for a lifetime. It was a gift she didn’t even know she needed.
Because Hengdian is not merely a filming base. It is a place where stories step out of the screen and into real life, where imagination becomes experience, and where visitors — especially those who travel from far away — unexpectedly become part of the heartbeat of the city. Every international guest who walks these streets adds a new thread to Hengdian’s unfolding story, and in return, Hengdian offers something profoundly rare: the chance to turn dreams into living, breathing memories.
This was her first-ever trip to China — and without question, it won’t be her last. Hengdian set the bar so high, so beautifully, that it became her new standard for what traveling in China should feel like. And as she looked back one last time before leaving, she knew one thing for certain: this would not be her final visit to Hengdian. Not even close.
