Thought Orange Isle was beautiful enough, until I came here—pretending to be in Europe for free

Don’t squeeze into Orange Isle during National Day in Changsha! Hidden in the city is Huayi Brothers Movie Town, a 1:1 replica of Italian architecture, featuring pink castles, Venetian water city, and flocks of white doves all appearing together. Post pictures on social media and instantly get asked, "Did you go abroad?" The best part is fewer crowds, great photo spots, and you can play all day long! 📍Address: Huayi Brothers Movie Town, Changsha (just navigate by the store name) 🚘Transportation: Take Metro Line 3 to Tongxi Station, exit 1B, then walk 600 meters straight to the site; parking is available and convenient for self-driving visitors. ⏰Best time to visit: Enter after 3 PM (soft lighting for better photos), stay until evening to watch fireworks + light show, covering two kinds of romance in one day. 🎫Tickets: Regular tickets offer great value; during National Day, they include special projects like intangible cultural heritage iron flower performances. It’s recommended to buy tickets online in advance to avoid queues. 🏰 Must-visit spots: 360° photo opportunities with no blind spots 1️⃣Venetian Water City: Turn left upon entering and head straight to the boat area. Gondolas shuttle between European-style arch bridges and waterways, shimmering reflections mirror colorful buildings. Stand on the bridge to shoot distant views of the boats, or sit on the boat to capture building reflections—every shot looks like an Italian masterpiece. 2️⃣San Francisco Castle: This vintage palace-style castle comes with a noble filter. Take “runaway princess” photos during the day; at sunset, warm light bathes the walls creating a cozy atmosphere; at night, the castle lights up and paired with the light show, it looks even more dreamy. 3️⃣Assisi Castle: The stained glass inside the church is stunning, with sunlight refracting colorful light spots; the square in front of the castle is the best spot for sky lantern releases and fireworks shows. During National Day, you can also see the intangible cultural heritage iron flower performance—firelight and castle together make a breathtaking scene. 4️⃣Oil Painting Staircase: On the way to the movie workshop, the stairs are covered with classic movie posters. Take a photo with the Marilyn Monroe standee for a full vintage vibe; the arched door frames in the castle alleys serve as natural photo frames, shooting from above can capture the entire castle cluster. 🎡 National Day exclusive activities: immersive experiences with no repeats Daytime must-dos: ✅“Gondola Boat Ride”: Wear Hanfu or dresses and ride the boat; the boatman narrates the buildings along the way. Every snap looks like “Venice style.” ✅“Pirate Coin Battle”: Interact with pirate NPCs at Starlight Avenue and Three Lions Square. Win pirate coins to exchange for small gifts—kids love it. ✅“Venetian Carnival Parade”: NPCs dressed in costumes and masks walk and interact with the crowd, handing out small props for an immersive Venetian experience. ✅“Dream Into the Play”: A moving performance from Starlight Avenue to Assisi Castle, with skilled actors and audience participation, offering a much deeper experience than ordinary theaters. Evening highlights: ✅“Sky Lantern Release”: Collective countdown and sky lantern release in front of Assisi Castle, everyone sings together, creating a super healing atmosphere. ✅“Dreamy Fireworks Show”: Held daily during National Day, combined with the castle light show, ending with intangible cultural heritage iron flower performance. The sparks are even more stunning than fireworks. ✅“Starlight Avenue Lighting”: All lights turn on at night, warm yellow lights illuminate European buildings. Walking here feels like stepping into a movie scene—night shots are amazing. 📌 Practical Tips (tested during 2025 National Day) Outfit suggestions: Wear flowing long dresses (white or red are most photogenic), with a straw hat or scarf for an exotic feel with the castle; for vintage style photos, bring a short dress—perfect for the church and castle. Gear preparation: Definitely bring a power bank! You won’t stop taking photos and videos; bring some snacks. The park’s restaurants are reasonably priced, and there are also snack stalls. Crowd avoidance tips: Enter after 3 PM to avoid midday crowds. Shoot daytime scenes first, watch the parade at dusk, and wait for fireworks at night. For gondola rides, queue after 5 PM when it’s less crowded and you can capture the sunset on the waterways. No need to fly to Europe—Venetian Water City, castle fireworks, and dozens of interactive activities are all in Changsha. Bring family or friends during National Day for a day full of photo ops and immersive fun, with unbeatable value!