This year, tourist spots in Kaifeng and Luoyang, Henan Province, have become increasingly popular. Thanks to its “all-encompassing historical and cultural” appeal, Henan is now among the top provinces in China’s tourism growth. In fact, NPCs in attractions have played a key role in this surge.
What are NPCs?
According to the paper.cn, NPCs originally referred to non-player characters in video games. In recent years, many scenic spots have hired real actors to play NPCs and interact with visitors. By doing so, these NPCs help enhance the overall tourist experience. Early examples include the “tumbling girl” Pikachen (皮卡晨) in The Grand Tang Mall and “Matchmaker Zhao Mei” at The Song Dynasty Of Kungfu City. More recently, actor Zheng Guolin gained popularity for portraying famous historical figures, such as Emperor Li Shimin, at various tourist spots. Consequently, he has become a well-known “working emperor” and a leading NPC.
In addition to celebrities, influencer NPCs and staff NPCs have also proven to be powerful tools for attracting tourists. In fact, some visitors are even willing to wait up to five hours just to interact with their favourite NPC for a few minutes.
From Roles to Professions: The Rise of NPC Careers
NPCs are no longer just a passing trend; they are rapidly becoming a legitimate profession, increasingly specialised and systematised.
According to Henan Daily, Hou Dechao, 38, spent 13 years working in the postal system. His path to becoming an NPC was unexpected. “I’ve always been curious about life, so I’ve tried many side jobs,” he said. After quitting his job in early 2023, he visited Luoyi Ancient City. While there, he dressed up as the “Matchmaker” character and posted a video online. To his surprise, the video went viral, inspiring him to pursue role-playing.
Initially, he played the “Matchmaker” character. His portrayal was so convincing that he began receiving multiple event invitations. Later, fans suggested he play the “God of Wealth” instead. He listened to the advice, and the change was a success. In September 2023, he appeared at The Song Dynasty Of Kungfu City as the “God of Wealth.”
This career shift reflects a larger trend. Specifically, economic transformation is creating new job opportunities, while a growing interest in consumer experiences is changing employment views.
“As consumption upgrades, tourists want more than passive observation. They want to participate, share, and connect emotionally,” said Zhu Shixin, Associate Professor at Henan University. NPCs have now entered the real world. Therefore, they have become key attractions at many tourist destinations. These NPCs are no longer merely background characters; rather, they are central to the visitor experience and have helped drive the professionalisation of NPC roles.
How Do NPCs Stay Popular?
Once NPCs become popular, the next challenge is maintaining their appeal over time. So, how can NPCs stay relevant and continue to attract visitors?
According to Tide News, from a tourist’s perspective, people are eager for even better, more immersive interactions with NPCs. For instance, Xiao Ai shared, “I hope future NPCs will improve. When I visit a scenic spot, I want to feel truly immersed in the experience. I want to escape from real life and enjoy myself more.”
Before achieving lasting popularity, some worry that the NPC trend might be short-lived. However, Professor Shen Han from Fudan University believes otherwise. He argues that NPCs are likely to remain a long-term trend in cultural tourism. Nevertheless, for them to stay relevant, content and presentation must continue to evolve. Currently, most NPCs focus mainly on visual elements, such as ancient costumes or simple storylines. Moving forward, we need to better integrate NPCs with visitor movement, create more compelling plots, and develop a dynamic narrative system. This will enhance tourists’ sense of participation and overall experience,” said Shen.
Additionally, Shen pointed out that NPC styles in different regions are becoming too similar. Many scenic spots fail to tap into local culture or unique intellectual properties. As a result, tourists may not experience much differentiation from one attraction to the next. To resolve this, scenic spots must carefully blend their physical spaces, visitor movement, and local history with NPC narratives. By using professional scripts and trained actors, they can create more engaging and memorable experiences for visitors.
Written by Yi Shen.
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