Core Insights - The article highlights the success of the immersive tourism project "Follow the Commander to Attack the County," which has become a popular form of cultural cosplay among Chinese youth, focusing on red culture and historical experiences [1][3][17] Group 1: Project Overview - The project is set against the backdrop of the 1941 Anti-Japanese War in the Yimeng Mountains, allowing participants to engage in a four-part experience: mobilization, marching, attacking, and celebrating victory [5][10] - It attracted over 5,000 participants in a single day during the May Day holiday, with a Douyin topic view count exceeding 300 million [1][3] Group 2: Cultural Significance - The project effectively taps into collective memory and emotional resonance among Chinese people, contrasting traditional cosplay that focuses on fictional characters [3][7] - Participants experience a sense of collective identity and historical connection, with 67% of participants being post-95s and 23% being families with children from the post-00s generation [9][10] Group 3: Social and Emotional Engagement - The project fosters social interaction, allowing families and friends to bond through shared experiences, and encourages participants to share their experiences on social media [4][10] - The emotional journey is enhanced by the involvement of well-known actors, such as Yang Qingwen, who adds excitement and recognition to the experience [4][10] Group 4: Innovative Tourism Model - The project represents a shift from traditional red tourism, which often feels disconnected from history, to an immersive experience that engages visitors actively [12][10] - It combines historical narratives with interactive elements, creating a model that emphasizes emotional engagement over mere observation [12][10] Group 5: Challenges and Controversies - The project has faced criticism regarding the balance between entertainment and historical seriousness, with concerns about the potential trivialization of historical events [14][16] - There are also concerns about pricing strategies within the tourist area, with reports of significant markups on food and merchandise, leading to negative perceptions among visitors [16][14]

Group 1 - During the "May Day" holiday, Shandong Province's 200 monitored tourist attractions received a total of 25.616 million visitors, representing a year-on-year increase of 8.2%, and generated revenue of 1.25 billion RMB, also up by 8.3% [1] - The Dezhou Leiling Film and Television City, as the main venue for the 2025 Shandong Cultural and Tourism Industry High-Quality Development Conference, welcomed 236,100 visitors during the holiday, contributing to over 900,000 visitors in Dezhou's scenic spots and commercial areas [1] - The historical city of Tai'an introduced a new cultural experience with the upgraded large-scale live performance "Chinese Taishan: Fengshan Ceremony," integrating technology and tradition to create an immersive experience for the audience [1] Group 2 - The popular tourism experience project "Follow the Team Leader to Liberate the County" in Linyi attracted over a thousand participants per performance, recreating scenes from the 1941 anti-Japanese war period [2] - In Jinan, the large-scale national style live show "Dream Back to the West Tower" premiered during the holiday, showcasing the charm of Jinan's "Er An" culture through a dual narrative presentation [2] - Various cultural performances were held across Shandong, including over 60 shows by local art troupes and 12 productions at the Shandong Grand Theatre, enhancing the "performance + cultural tourism" experience for visitors [2]