Yunnan, Zhejiang & Hebei — Where the Monkey King Guards the Monk: A Soft Journey Through the Filming Locations of Journey to the West Episode 5
As spring gently unfolds across China, landscapes begin to soften—stone forests warm under sunlight, temple courtyards grow quiet and green, and old towns return to a slow, poetic rhythm. In the 1986 classic Journey to the West, Episode 5—"The Monkey King Protects Tang Sanzang"—marks an important turning point: the beginning of the legendary pilgrimage. To bring this story to life, the production team carefully selected real locations across China, transforming natural scenery and historical sites into a magical narrative world. Today, these filming locations remain beautiful travel destinations, where visitors can follow the early steps of the Monkey King and his master through landscapes that feel both real and slightly dreamlike. Yunnan Stone Forest — The Five Elements Mountain Where Destiny Begins The dramatic scenes of the Five Elements Mountain, where Sun Wukong is released after centuries of imprisonment, were filmed in Stone Forest in Yunnan. This unique geological si...