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| Where Was Chinese Drama Generation to Generation Filmed? Full Filming Locations Revealed. (Photo: WeTV) |
If you’ve been swept into the intense martial world of Generation to Generation (江湖夜雨十年灯), you’re not alone. With its layered characters, emotional push-and-pull, and striking visual scale, many viewers are now asking the same question: where exactly was this drama filmed?
Starring Zhou Yiran and Bao Shangen, Generation to Generation was primarily shot across well-known Chinese filming hubs, with Hengdian taking centre stage.
While not every exact spot was publicly disclosed during production — a move meant to protect cast and crew from disruptions — enough details have now surfaced to give fans a clearer picture of where the drama came to life.
Complete Filming Locations Breakdown for Generation to Generation
Hengdian World Studios, Zhejiang
This is where the heart of Generation to Generation was filmed.
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Hengdian World Studios served as the main production base, hosting palace interiors, noble mansions, martial sect halls, and bustling ancient streets.
Its Tang and Song-style districts gave the drama its layered historical texture, allowing scenes of ambition, rivalry, and shifting loyalties to unfold naturally.
From sunrise call times to late-night wrap-ups, nearly every major storyline involving Mu Qingyan’s calculated rise and Cai Zhao’s emotional turning points was filmed here. Industry insiders often call Hengdian the backbone of Chinese costume dramas, and this series fully proves why.
Why it fits the drama
• Grand architecture suited for power struggles
• Fully controlled sets for complex action choreography
• Reliable infrastructure for long-term costume productions
Lengquan Area, Zhejiang
Some quieter scenes were reportedly filmed in Lengquan, a scenic area known for its untouched natural atmosphere.
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These locations were likely used for reflective moments, emotional confrontations, and transitional scenes away from the chaos of the martial world. The calmer setting contrasts beautifully with the political tension seen elsewhere in the series.
Why it fits the drama
• Natural landscapes for emotional depth
• Fewer crowds, better atmosphere control
• Ideal for character-driven scenes
Xiangshan Film and Television Town, Zhejiang
Another confirmed filming spot, Xiangshan Film and Television Town, was used for selected battle scenes and imperial-style sequences.
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Its ancient city layout, including towering gates and long stone streets, added scale to confrontation scenes and strategic stand-offs. Some of the drama’s more visually imposing moments were reportedly shot here.
Why it fits the drama
• Massive ancient city sets
• Perfect for military and large-cast scenes
• Strong historical realism
Hangzhou, Zhejiang
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Hangzhou appears throughout the series in subtle but meaningful ways.
Filming reportedly took place across multiple districts, capturing lakeside paths, city outskirts, and traditional streets. These scenes add warmth and realism, grounding the story’s emotional beats in lived-in spaces rather than pure fantasy.
Why it fits the drama
• Elegant natural scenery
• Strong cultural identity
• Smooth blend of romance and realism
Sichuan Province
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Select exterior shots were filmed in Sichuan, mainly for outdoor sequences involving forests, rivers, and distant mountain views.
These wide shots elevate the scale of the martial world, reminding viewers that the story isn’t confined to courts and mansions but stretches across dangerous, unpredictable terrain.
Why it fits the drama
• Dramatic landscapes
• Ideal for travel and journey arcs
• Adds visual weight to conflict
Yunnan Province
Yunnan reportedly doubled as remote martial territories in the series.
Its unique geography and lush environments were used sparingly but effectively, often to suggest distance, exile, or turning points in the characters’ paths.
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Why it fits the drama
• Visually distinct scenery
• Strong sense of isolation
• Enhances narrative contrast
Dongyang Ancient Villages, Zhejiang
Located close to Hengdian, Dongyang’s traditional villages are often used as extensions of studio shoots.
While not officially confirmed scene-by-scene, industry watchers believe some village backdrops and street-level shots may have been filmed here due to proximity and architectural consistency.
Why it fits the drama
• Authentic lived-in settings
• Close to main studio base
• Often used for supplemental scenes
Why Some Filming Locations Were Kept Private?
During production, the team avoided revealing precise filming schedules and locations. This decision was widely supported by fans, especially given the drama’s growing popularity during filming. Keeping things low-profile helped maintain focus on performances, safety, and production quality.
Online reactions to the revealed locations have been mixed but mostly positive.
Some fans praised the production for fully utilising Hengdian’s scale, saying the sets felt “alive” rather than recycled. Others noted that while certain locations looked familiar, smart camera work and lighting gave them a fresh identity.
A few viewers hoped for more distinct regional visuals, especially from Yunnan and Sichuan, but many agreed that the emotional weight of the story mattered more than geographic variety.
Overall sentiment leans towards appreciation, with many calling the visuals “quietly immersive” rather than flashy.
Why These Locations Work So Well for Generation to Generation
At its core, Generation to Generation is about masks, ambition, and emotional survival. The filming locations reflect that perfectly — controlled, imposing spaces for power games, and open natural landscapes for moments of vulnerability.
The contrast between grand studios and real-world scenery mirrors the drama’s central tension between strategy and sincerity..
Whether you’re watching for the layered romance, the mind games, or the martial politics, the filming locations play a bigger role than they first appear. They don’t just decorate the story — they shape it.
If you could visit one of these places, which would it be: the grand halls of Hengdian, the quiet paths of Hangzhou, or the wild landscapes of Sichuan?