Consisting of a number of separate themed "towns", the CCTV Wuxi Movie/TV Base-operated Wuxi Film Studios (Wúxī Yǐngshì Jīdì, 无锡影视基地) is China's answer to Universal Studios. Opened in 1987, the site sits on the shore of gargantuan Tai Lake, with each town serving as both tourist attraction and working movie set.

There's Tang Dynasty Town (Táng Chéng, 唐城), Three Kingdoms Town (Sānguó Chéng, 三国城) and Water Margin Town (Shuǐhǔ Chéng, 水浒城), each of which is tailored to a particular style of film. For example, Tang Town is the setting for great Tang Dynasty period dramas and features large-scale Tang-era architecture with replicas of the Royal Garden, Chenxian Pavilion and Huaqing Pool.

Most of China's period dramas are filmed here, so the sets are very exciting for devoted Chinese fans who will recognize every palace, temple and fortress from the TV soaps and relish having their photo taken there. For those unfamiliar with Chinese television and movies, the parks are a kitsch glimpse into the Middle Kingdom's showbiz industry with entertaining song, dance and stunt shows thrown in daily.

Each town has a separate entry fee, so unless you are a true fanatic, one will probably suffice. Sometimes, discounts are offered for buying tickets for multiple sections. As of this writing, the cost for visiting Water Margin Town and Three Kingdoms Town together is RMB 150.

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