TCM Cultural Experience Center

The TCM Cultural Experience Center is a marvel of modern design, combining large-scale hyper-realistic figures, magical forests and a futuristic herbal laboratory that celebrates traditional Chinese medicine culture. Wētā Workshop Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer Richard Taylor was personally involved with the project and emphasises the emotional approach to the design, aiming to create a space that is visually and emotionally engaging, sparking a lifelong interest in traditional Chinese medicine culture for visitors. “This Experience Center is not just a building — it is a cultural symbol forged through years of shared effort,” he says. “It stands as a testament to the friendships and collaborations between artists from two nations.”

Visitors to the museum are treated to a 50-metre-long animated historical tapestry, fantastical forests, and a large-scale mural in the central atrium depicting the story of mythological figure Shen Lang, with 100 birds flying down towards the basement. This central feature connects all levels of the building, creating a cohesive narrative journey from the origins of traditional Chinese medicine to its present-day practices and future possibilities.

One of the defining features of the experience is the set of monumental sculptures we designed and created, honouring the great sages of traditional Chinese medicine. As part of the project, our teams did a casting call for performers across China for the portrayal of 14 historical and legendary figures. It was important to us to capture the most authentic and emotionally powerful personas within these monumental sculptures. “We didn’t just reference traditional depictions of the sages,” says Richard, “we focused on honouring their humanity.” 

The immersive environment is rich with interactive games and displays, designed to engage, inform and delight visitors. People can explore a magical forest illuminated by glowing bioluminescent trees as they walk over pathways with medicinal herbal formulas, or travel through time with 45-metre-long display of miniature models which encapsulate the history of traditional Chinese medicine from 4,000 to 2,000 AD. 

One of the highlights of the museum is a futuristic laboratory, where visitors can explore different strands of traditional Chinese medicine. This space comes alive with interactive elements as people enter or exit the space, engaging visitors in hands-on exploration of medicinal practices. 

The project was a testament to the power of international collaboration. Wētā Workshop's Head of Creative Media, Sam Gao, played a pivotal role in both the creative direction and hands-on sculpting of this project. Despite the challenges posed by seven years of remote work, the project brought together talents from China, Macao and New Zealand, creating a rich tapestry of cultural and creative exchange.