The Untamed Filming Secrets: 5 Real-World Locations That Built The Xianxia World Of Wei Wuxian And Lan Wangji

The global phenomenon of The Untamed (Chen Qing Ling), based on the *danmei* novel *Mo Dao Zu Shi*, captivated millions with its intricate plot, deep character bonds, and breathtaking scenery. As of December 2025, fan curiosity remains high regarding the actual locations that brought the fictional world of the Five Great Clans—Gusu Lan, Yunmeng Jiang, Lanling Jin, Qishan Wen, and Qinghe Nie—to life.

This article will delve into the precise, real-world filming sites across China, revealing the blend of massive studio sets and stunning natural landscapes that formed the backdrop for Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji's legendary journey. We also briefly address the common confusion with the recent Netflix thriller also titled *Untamed* to provide the most current and comprehensive answer to the question: where exactly was this epic Xianxia drama filmed?

The Untamed Stars: A Dual Biography of Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo

The success of The Untamed is inseparable from the compelling chemistry and performances of its two lead actors, who portrayed the soulmates Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. Understanding their background adds a layer of appreciation for the production's core.

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Xiao Zhan (Wei Wuxian - The Yiling Patriarch)

• Born: October 5, 1991
• Birthplace: Chongqing, China
• Career Highlights: Xiao Zhan is a highly popular Chinese actor and singer. He initially debuted as a member of the idol group X-Nine in 2016. His breakout role as Wei Wuxian in *The Untamed* in 2019 catapulted him to international superstardom, leading to major roles in dramas like *The Oath of Love* and *The Youth Memories*.
• Entity Tags: Chinese actor, C-pop, X-Nine, Chongqing, The Yiling Patriarch.

Wang Yibo (Lan Wangji - Hanguang-Jun)

• Born: August 5, 1997
• Birthplace: Luoyang, Henan, China
• Career Highlights: Wang Yibo is a multifaceted Chinese artist, excelling as an actor, dancer, singer, and professional road motorcycle racer. He is a member of the South Korean-Chinese boy band UNIQ. His portrayal of the stoic and elegant Lan Wangji earned him critical acclaim and global recognition. He has since starred in popular dramas such as *Legend of Fei* and *Being a Hero*.
• Entity Tags: Chinese idol, UNIQ, C-pop, professional road motorcycle racer, Hanguang-Jun, Luoyang.

Hengdian World Studios: The Heart of the Cultivation World

The vast majority of the sect headquarters and iconic interior scenes in The Untamed were meticulously constructed and filmed within China’s largest film production base: Hengdian World Studios.

Located in the city of Dongyang, Zhejiang Province, Hengdian is often called the "Hollywood of China." The studio houses massive, detailed sets, including full-scale replicas of ancient Chinese cities and palace complexes, which are essential for historical and *Xianxia* (immortal heroes) dramas.

Cloud Recesses and Nightless City: Custom-Built Sets

The production team, led by Directors Zheng Wei Wen and Chen Jia Lin, along with Screenwriters Yang Xia and Deng Yao, dedicated significant resources to pre-production, which reportedly took two and a half years.

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• Gusu Lan's Cloud Recesses: The ethereal, secluded home of Lan Wangji and the Gusu Lan Sect was largely a custom-built set within Hengdian. The architectural design emphasized discipline, elegance, and a serene, scholarly atmosphere, drawing influence from the aesthetics of the Song dynasty. The bright, white, and blue-gray color palette reflected the sect's strict rules and moral rectitude.
• Qishan Wen's Nightless City (Bu Ye Tian): In stark contrast, the fortress-like headquarters of the Qishan Wen Sect featured angular, imposing architecture. The set's visual design used darker, more aggressive tones to reflect the Wen clan's ideological tension and militaristic power.
• Yunmeng Jiang's Lotus Pier (Lianhua Wu): While some interior shots were done on sound stages, the design of the Yunmeng Jiang's vibrant, water-surrounded home was inspired by the real-world atmosphere of Hubei province, emphasizing a more relaxed, familial, and water-based lifestyle.

The use of Hengdian allowed the production to control the environment completely, ensuring that the unique visual language of each of the Five Great Clans was perfectly rendered, from the intricate set dressings to the lighting employed by Cinematographer Sun Molong.

Beyond the Studio: The Untamed’s Natural Landscapes

While the sect compounds were studio-based, the sprawling, epic journey of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji required stunning natural backdrops. The production traveled to several provinces to capture the authentic, rugged beauty of China's wilderness, adding scale and realism to the *Wuxia* (martial heroes) elements of the story.

The Majestic Scenery of Guizhou and Yunnan

The crew ventured far from the main studios to capture the misty mountains, deep forests, and sprawling plains that make up the vast Cultivation World. The primary locations outside of Hengdian included:

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• Guizhou Province (Guizhou Sheng): A significant portion of the outdoor scenes, particularly those depicting wilderness travel, battles, and the more mysterious, remote locations, were filmed in Guizhou. This province is known for its dramatic karst landscapes, towering peaks, and lush greenery, providing the perfect atmosphere for a fantasy drama.
• Wanfenglin Scenic Area: Located in Guizhou, this "Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks" is believed to be one of the key locations used for the dramatic, sweeping shots of the Cultivation World's vast, mountainous terrain.
• Yunnan Province: The southwestern province of Yunnan also contributed to the drama’s stunning visuals. Specific locations include Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. Cangshan Mountain’s snow-capped peaks and Erhai Lake’s serene waters provided a visual contrast to the more controlled studio sets, enhancing the sense of a grand adventure.

The seamless integration of these real-life locations with the studio sets is a testament to the meticulous planning and extensive location scouting that defined the production of *The Untamed*.

Addressing the Confusion: The Netflix Thriller 'Untamed'

It is important to note that a completely different production, a Netflix thriller also titled *Untamed* (or sometimes referred to as *The Dry* in some regions), has caused confusion among fans searching for the Chinese drama’s filming locations.

This American crime drama, starring Eric Bana and set in Yosemite National Park, California, was actually filmed much farther north. The production crew for this thriller set up camp in the wilderness of British Columbia, Canada. Specific Canadian locations included Mount Seymour, Murdo Frazer Park Cabin, the Sea to Sky Gondola, and Greenwood Park.

If your search was for the Chinese *Xianxia* drama *The Untamed* (Chen Qing Ling), the answer lies in the massive studio complexes and natural wonders of China. If you were looking for the Eric Bana thriller, the location is the majestic, rugged landscape of British Columbia, Canada.

The Legacy of The Untamed’s Production Design

The success of *The Untamed* was not just about the acting or the story; it was a masterclass in production design and world-building. Costume Designer Chen Tongxun ensured that the visual identity of each sect was consistent, from the flowing white robes of Gusu Lan to the fiery reds of Qishan Wen.

The meticulous attention to detail in the set construction, the extensive use of real-world Chinese landscapes like Guizhou and Yunnan, and the powerful blend of traditional Chinese aesthetics with fantasy elements cemented The Untamed as a benchmark for the *Xianxia* genre. From the tranquility of the Cloud Recesses to the vibrant chaos of Lotus Pier, the filming locations are a pilgrimage for fans seeking to walk in the footsteps of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. The enduring popularity of the series, years after its release, proves that the world built by the production team is as unforgettable as the story itself.