Walk-in show turns Yotkan Ancient City into a living Silk Road stage

In Hotan City in Xinjiang, Yotkan Ancient City turns visitors into participants. This seven-square-kilometer recreation of the ancient Khotan capital offers immersive streets, over 40 non-player characters (NPCs), music, games and mock weddings by day. By night, it becomes Xinjiang's first full-scale walk-in show with no fixed seats. Since 2023, it has generated a stable income for over 800 locals. Here, heritage is lived, shared and passed on.