The Untamed Filming Locations: Unmasking The Real-World Realms Of Gusu, Yunmeng, And Nightless City
For fans of *The Untamed* (Chen Qing Ling), the breathtaking visuals of Cloud Recesses, the serene beauty of Lotus Pier, and the grandeur of Nightless City are as integral to the story as the relationship between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. As of December 2025, the curiosity surrounding the show's magical locations continues to drive massive search traffic. This deep dive unmasks the real-world sets and stunning natural landscapes across China where this iconic *xianxia* drama was brought to life, offering a fresh, updated look at the production's ambitious scope.
It is important to clarify that there are two separate productions with similar names. While a recent Netflix mystery thriller titled *Untamed* was primarily filmed in British Columbia, Canada, the globally acclaimed 2019 Chinese drama, *The Untamed* (陈情令), was an epic production filmed exclusively across various regions in mainland China, primarily utilizing a massive film studio and several spectacular natural scenic areas.
The Untamed (Chen Qing Ling) Cast and Production Profile
The 2019 fantasy-wuxia drama *The Untamed* is based on the popular BL novel *Mo Dao Zu Shi* (Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation) by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu (MXTX). The series became a global phenomenon, launching the careers of its lead actors and solidifying its place as a cornerstone of Chinese television. The sheer scale of the production required a massive team and extensive location scouting.
- Original Novel: *Mo Dao Zu Shi* (Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation)
- Chinese Title: 陈情令 (Chén Qíng Lìng)
- Release Date: June 27, 2019
- Main Directors: Chen Jialin (Chan Ka Lam) and Steve Cheng
- Lead Cast:
- Xiao Zhan as Wei Wuxian (Wei Ying)
- Wang Yibo as Lan Wangji (Lan Zhan)
- Meng Ziyi as Wen Qing
- Yu Bin as Wen Ning
- Zhu Zanjin as Jin Guangyao
- Wang Zhuocheng as Jiang Cheng
- Production Company: Tencent Penguin Pictures and New Style Media
Hengdian World Studios: The Backbone of the Cultivation World
The majority of the intricate, large-scale sect compounds and cityscapes seen in *The Untamed* were not historical monuments but meticulously constructed sets within the world's largest film studio. This focus on set construction allowed the directors, Chen Jialin and Steve Cheng, to achieve the specific aesthetic needed for the five major cultivation sects.
China's Hollywood: Hengdian World Studios
Hengdian World Studios, often dubbed "China's Hollywood," is located in Dongyang, Zhejiang Province. This sprawling complex serves as the primary filming location for countless Chinese historical and fantasy dramas. For *The Untamed*, the studio was the perfect canvas to build the monumental structures required for the narrative's central conflicts and daily life.
- Cloud Recesses (Gusu Lan Sect): The pristine, white, and perpetually misty home of the Gusu Lan Sect, led by Lan Xichen, was a purpose-built set within Hengdian. The iconic mountain gate and the austere library where Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji spent time were carefully designed to reflect the Lan Sect’s strict rules and elegant simplicity.
- Nightless City (Qishan Wen Sect): The formidable, imposing, and dark capital of the Qishan Wen Sect, under the tyrannical rule of Wen Ruohan, was also constructed at Hengdian. The massive scale and distinctive architecture of this city were crucial for the dramatic events of the Sunshot Campaign.
- Koi Tower (Lanling Jin Sect): The opulent, golden, and extravagant headquarters of the Lanling Jin Sect, home to Jin Zixuan and Jin Guangyao, was another major set built at the studio, showcasing the sect's immense wealth and political power.
The ability to control every aspect of the set design, from the specific colors of the roof tiles to the placement of the interior props, was essential for differentiating the aesthetics of the Gusu Lan, Lanling Jin, and Qishan Wen sects, adding significant visual depth to the *xianxia* universe.
Beyond the Studio: Real-World Landscapes of Yunmeng and Guizhou
While the sect headquarters were primarily studio sets, the production team ventured out to capture China's spectacular natural beauty, providing the authentic, sweeping backdrops that define the *wuxia* genre. These real-world locations grounded the fantasy elements of the drama and provided the perfect setting for the characters’ travels.
The Lush Scenery of Guizhou Province
A significant portion of the outdoor and travel scenes were filmed in the majestic, mountainous terrain of Guizhou Province (贵州省) in Southwest China. This region is known for its dramatic karst landscapes, lush forests, and traditional villages, making it an ideal setting for the wandering cultivation world.
- Wanfenglin Scenic Area: Located in Guizhou, the Wanfenglin (Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks) area provided some of the most memorable natural backdrops. The towering karst peaks and rolling fields are often seen as Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji travel across the land.
- The Burial Mounds (Luanzang Gang): While the interior of the Burial Mounds was likely a controlled set, the surrounding, dark, and foreboding mountain exteriors were captured in the wilder, remote parts of Guizhou, emphasizing the isolation and danger of Wei Wuxian’s refuge.
Yunnan’s Serenity: Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake
To capture the ethereal and vast landscapes, the crew also traveled to Yunnan Province, specifically utilizing the stunning natural features near the city of Dali. These locations are known for their high-altitude clarity and breathtaking views.
- Cangshan Mountain: This mountain range, overlooking Erhai Lake, provided the misty, high-altitude scenes that often symbolize the journey and introspection of the main characters.
- Erhai Lake: The "Ear-shaped Sea" lake offered the tranquil, expansive water scenes that contrast with the political turmoil of the sects. The natural beauty of this region is often associated with the freedom and escape sought by the protagonists.
Xiangshan Film and TV Town
In addition to Hengdian, the production also utilized Xiangshan Film and TV Town, another prominent film base in Zhejiang Province. This studio offers a variety of period-specific sets, which would have been used for secondary towns, inns, and other environments encountered by the characters throughout their adventures, ensuring the visual variety needed for a 50-episode series.
The Real-World Inspiration for the Five Great Sects
While the sets were constructed, the names and general characteristics of the five major sects—Gusu Lan, Yunmeng Jiang, Lanling Jin, Qinghe Nie, and Qishan Wen—are based on real-world geographical locations in China, adding a layer of historical and cultural authenticity for fans of the source material.
- Gusu (姑苏): The Gusu Lan Sect is named after the ancient name for Suzhou, a city famous for its classical gardens, canals, and refined culture, which perfectly mirrors the sect's elegance and discipline.
- Yunmeng (云梦): The Yunmeng Jiang Sect, home to Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian’s beloved Lotus Pier, is inspired by the Yunmeng Marshes, a historical lake region known for its water-based geography, reflecting the sect's affinity for lakes and rivers.
- Qinghe (清河): The Qinghe Nie Sect is named after a historical region in Hebei Province.
- Lanling (兰陵): The Lanling Jin Sect is named after a former county in Shandong Province.
The dedication of the production team to blending massive, custom-built studio sets with the raw, untamed beauty of China's most spectacular natural provinces—from the dense forests of Guizhou to the serene lakes of Yunnan—is what gives *The Untamed* its distinctive and enduring visual appeal. The journey of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji is forever intertwined with these unforgettable real and imagined realms.
Detail Author:
- Name : Ned Lebsack MD
- Username : deckow.doyle
- Email : olang@yahoo.com
- Birthdate : 1976-03-03
- Address : 84418 Ankunding Ways Suite 131 Hahnberg, AZ 11903
- Phone : 1-689-400-6757
- Company : Olson Ltd
- Job : Central Office Operator
- Bio : Error rerum placeat culpa omnis distinctio. Aliquam consequatur aliquid debitis odit quae. Autem veniam totam soluta illum et facere.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/alfreda.stroman
- username : alfreda.stroman
- bio : Et nemo in dolor. Velit iste ipsam facilis repellendus magnam soluta. Voluptas enim nisi non illum.
- followers : 4656
- following : 2495
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/stromana
- username : stromana
- bio : Placeat illo unde qui explicabo molestias. Quos eveniet quia atque quasi molestiae facere. Numquam quis aut temporibus adipisci non est dicta.
- followers : 2686
- following : 2449
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@alfreda7938
- username : alfreda7938
- bio : Ut vitae et ut similique veniam eos. Cumque qui dignissimos illo aut quo.
- followers : 6761
- following : 2785
