During the 2025 China Game Industry Annual Conference, industry experts highlighted how the monumental triumph of Black Myth: Wukong has profoundly reshaped both the gaming landscape and the country’s tourism sector.
Developed by Game Science and launched in 2024, the title moved over 20 million copies within its debut month. As a flagship project for the Chinese market, its breakthrough served as a catalyst for other domestic titles, such as Phantom Blade Zero, which successfully secured additional investment following the game’s success.
The game’s cultural footprint extends far beyond digital entertainment. Shanxi Province, which hosts many of the real-world landmarks depicted in the game, reported a massive surge in visitor traffic.
Qingping Gao, head of the Shanxi Provincial Tourism Organization, remarked:
“The game’s extraordinary popularity transcended the digital realm, becoming a tangible driver for domestic travel.”
According to his data, online queries for “Shanxi tourism” skyrocketed by 3,178% year-over-year, while total page views related to the province surpassed the 40 billion mark.
Furthermore, a Black Myth: Wukong exhibition held at the Art Museum of the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou from April to July 2025 was initially scheduled to run for 40 days. However, due to record-breaking public demand, it was extended to 108 days. Over this period, it attracted 450,000 visitors, approximately 80% of whom were under the age of 18.
Source: iXBT.games