The Prisoner of Beauty Drama Filming Locations in Dongyang

On Set with The Prisoner of Beauty: Filming Secrets and That Iconic Studio

So you’ve been bingeing The Prisoner of Beauty (折腰), got your heart tangled in historical robes, and now you’re wondering — where on earth did they film this lavish visual feast? Well, buckle in, because we've got the inside scoop — minus any spoilers or stalker fan incidents, of course.

First things first: yep, it was filmed entirely in China. But not just anywhere — the bulk of this 36-episode period romance was shot at none other than Hengdian World Studios, Dongyang, Zhejiang Province the crème de la crème of Chinese drama sets.

📍 Hengdian World Studios, Dongyang, Zhejiang Province

Filming for The Prisoner of Beauty kicked off on 31 January 2023 and wrapped on 16 May 2023. 

And yes, they kept things hush-hush while filming was underway — mostly to avoid disruptions from overly enthusiastic fans who might’ve fancied a sneak peek (or a selfie with Lareina Song ZuEr in full costume). Respectfully, no spoilers on set.

Hengdian World Studios isn’t just a backdrop — it’s practically a character in itself. 

Dubbed the “Hollywood of China,” this place is famous for its mind-blowing reconstructions of ancient palaces, markets, and even whole dynasties. 

From dusty battlefields to golden palace halls, Hengdian’s done it all. So, it’s no surprise that this historical-romantic-political mix chose to set up camp there.

The studio is operated by the private company Hengdian Group, founded by Xu Wenrong. Often referred to as “Chinawood,” Xu transformed farmland in the heart of Zhejiang into the largest film studio in Asia.

The drama’s rich atmosphere, stunning architecture, and full-on immersion into courtly chaos? Yeah, you’ve got Hengdian to thank for that.

#LiuYuning’s raw voice during filming. Apparently, this scene used his raw voice rather than dubbing

(this was the fight scene with Wei Yan)#ThePrisonerOfBeauty #折腰 pic.twitter.com/zApnWVZ594

— Liu Yuning 刘宇宁 updates (@liu_yuning08) May 26, 2025

📚 What’s The Prisoner of Beauty About Again?

Based on the web novel Zhe Yao (折腰) by Peng Lai Ke, this Tencent Video original doesn’t just serve looks — it brings layers. History, power struggles, forbidden love, and the constant weight of duty — all wrapped up in silk and secrets. If you're after a drama with bite and beauty, this one's a proper treat.

The drama’s got a tight 45 minutes per ep, across 36 episodes. That’s a manageable binge, right?

Hengdian’s horse trainer mentioned Liu Yuning in a video by CCTV6:

• Liu Yuning has a designated horse named 123 for filming, as 123 is tall and suitable for his scenes.

• Liu Yuning often feeds 123 treats, and the horse will walk over to him whenever he spots him — always sticking close by.

🎭 Who’s in It?

Leading lady Song ZuEr brings Qiao Man (aka Xiao Qiao) to life with elegance and grit, while Liu YuNing plays Wei Shao (or Zhong Lin), the brooding male lead with more layers than a palace scheme. The chemistry? Spicy.

Here’s a peek at the sprawling cast:

• Xuan Lu as Su E Huang

• Liu Duan Duan as Wei Yan / Shi Yuan / Hu Tu Kun

• Liu Xiao Qing as Madame Xu

• He Hong Shan as Qiao Fan / Da Qiao

• Li Xue Qin as Xiao Tao

• Wang Cheng Si as Wei Liang

• Peter Ho as Gao Heng

• Wei Zi Xin as Gong Sun Yang

• Zhou Lu La as Bi Kun

• Ao Zi Yi as Qiao Yi

• Wu Hao Chen as Wei Qu

• Cui Yi as Madame Zhu

• Wang Chun Yuan as Liu Shan

• Vinnie Yao as Zhang Pu

• Liu Yi Hong as Wei Xiao

• Chu Zi Jun as Wei Duo

• Cola Yao as Xiao Zao

• Liu Ling Zhi as Qiao Ping

• Hu Xiao Ting as Chun Niang

• Feng Hui as Qiao Yue

• Gong Zheng Ye & Guo Jun also appear in support roles.

Plus, some cheeky guest appearances from familiar faces:

• Gao Wei Guang as Wei Bao

• Snow Kong as Zheng Chu Yu

• Ji Xiao Bing as Liu Yan / Mao Qing

If you’re one for recognising voices and cameos, this one’s a gift that keeps giving.

The Prisoner of Beauty isn’t just a story — it’s a full-on production triumph. And while most of the filming stayed under wraps during its production run (for good reason), now that it’s out, fans can fully appreciate the effort poured into every scene.

From the grandeur of Hengdian to the layered performances, this drama is proof that when it comes to historical C-dramas, no one does it quite like China. So if you’re watching for the plot… or, let’s be honest, the palace eye-candy… now you know exactly where the magic happened.