Safety
China’s Immersive Disaster Simulation Centers Gain Popularity
A new trend in 'dark tourism' has emerged in China, where young people are paying to experience simulated natural disasters like typhoons and flash floods to learn survival skills.
According to a report by Khaosod Online Thailand on August 20, 2026, a growing trend known as 'dark tourism' is gaining traction in China. Young people are increasingly visiting immersive disaster simulation centers to experience extreme weather conditions, including typhoons and flash floods, while learning survival techniques.
One prominent facility, the Lvxing Base in Hangzhou, has been operating since September 2024. Participants are equipped with protective gear and helmets to face simulated wind speeds of up to 165 kilometers per hour, alongside heavy rain and rising water levels. The center provides professional safety staff and instructors to oversee the sessions. Entry fees start at approximately 899 yuan (about 4,400 baht), with premium family packages for wilderness and water rescue training reaching up to 5,000 yuan (about 24,500 baht).
For travelers or residents interested in such experiences, these facilities offer a controlled environment to understand the intensity of natural disasters. One participant noted that the realism of a simulated underground parking lot flood was intense enough to induce genuine fear. While these centers provide a unique educational perspective on disaster preparedness, it remains to be confirmed how these specific training modules translate to real-world survival efficacy during actual emergencies. Visitors should note that these activities are physically demanding and involve high-stress simulations.