🎉✨ Wellington and Guangdong, 2024: Wētā Workshop, the New Zealand based creative powerhouse behind some of cinema’s most iconic fantasy worlds, has just unveiled its biggest and most ambitious project to date, the TCM Cultural Experience Center, now open in the Guangdong Macao Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Park, China.
Spanning an astonishing 36,000 square meters, this immersive cultural landmark reimagines the ancient wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine through the lens of cinematic storytelling, cutting edge design, and mythic artistry, all hallmarks of Wētā’s legendary craftsmanship.
A Lotus Blossoms in Science and Story
Inspired by the sacred lotus flower, a symbol of purity, healing and rebirth in Chinese culture, the center’s architecture unfolds like a series of giant petal like structures, creating a serene, otherworldly landscape nestled within the lush greenery of the TCM Park.
Inside, visitors are transported into a multi sensory journey that blends legend, science and spectacle:
- Giant Hyper Real Figures: Towering sculptures of mythical herbal guardians and ancient sages bring TCM legends to life, crafted with Wētā’s signature attention to detail, from lifelike skin textures to flowing robes embedded with symbolic motifs.
- Enchanted Forests: Walk through immersive environments where glowing flora, ambient soundscapes and interactive projections evoke a realm where nature and healing magic intertwine, like stepping into a living fairy tale.
- Next Gen Herbal Laboratory: A futuristic space where tradition meets technology, showcasing advanced TCM research, AI driven diagnostics and sustainable herbal cultivation, all presented through dynamic, cinematic exhibits.
- Interactive Cultural Zones: From acupuncture storytelling pods to VR experiences of ancient apothecaries, the center educates and inspires, making TCM accessible to global audiences.
A Dream Forged in Two Worlds
This visionary project is the result of a groundbreaking collaboration between Wētā Workshop and Chinese cultural and scientific institutions, a true New Zealand China dream team led by Academy Award winning co founder Sir Richard Taylor.
“We’ve always believed in the power of stories to connect people,” said Taylor. “Here, we’re not just telling tales. We’re honoring 5,000 years of healing wisdom through art, imagination and innovation. This is Wētā’s most meaningful project yet.”
The TCM Cultural Experience Center is more than a museum. It’s a cultural odyssey, a bridge between East and West, past and future, myth and science.
From Middle earth to Macao: Wētā’s Legacy of World Building
Founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger, Wētā Workshop has spent decades shaping fantasy into reality. Known globally for its Oscar winning contributions to film, the studio has brought to life some of the most beloved worlds in cinematic history.
The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies
Designed iconic armor, weapons, creatures and prosthetics. Won 6 Academy Awards.
Avatar Series
Developed Pandora’s creatures, cultural artifacts and bioluminescent environments.
King Kong (2005)
Crafted Skull Island’s beasts and practical effects.
District 9
Designed the alien weaponry and exosuits.
Mortal Engines
Engineered steampunk cities and war machines.
Blade Runner 2049
Contributed to the dystopian prop design.
Beyond film, Wētā has pioneered immersive experiences like Wētā Cave in Wellington and global touring exhibitions, proving their mastery extends far beyond the screen.
A New Chapter in Cultural Storytelling
The TCM Cultural Experience Center marks a bold evolution for Wētā Workshop, not just as creators of fantasy, but as architects of cultural legacy. By fusing Chinese heritage with Kiwi innovation, they’ve created a space where art heals, stories teach and imagination transforms.
As global interest in holistic wellness and cultural tourism grows, this center stands as a beacon of cross cultural creativity, a testament to what’s possible when two nations, two traditions and two creative visions come together.
