Nestled under Songping Mountain on the northern Qinling foothills, the Xiying Fenglei Era Film and Television Base—rebuilt from the old Fenglei Instrument Factory—is Xi'an's cinematic dream factory, where every brick and set evokes a bygone era.

The Protagonist, executive produced by Zhang Yimou and featuring an all-star cast, has recently completed filming and entered post-production. Notably, 60% of its pivotal work and life scenes were shot at the Xiying Fenglei Era Film and Television Base.

The Protagonist TV series is based on the Mao Dun Literature Award–winning novel named after China's celebrated writer Mao Dun (1896–1981). It follows Qin opera star Yi Qin'e through fifty years of triumphs and trials, as her life and art are shaped by the sweeping tides of history.

The Fenglei Instrument Factory originated from Shanghai Watch Factory's "608 Workshop," which was founded in 1960. It was the Ministry of Light Industry's sole designated producer of military timing instruments during that period.

The Fenglei Instrument Factory closed in February 2006, yet its industrial legacy was carefully preserved. Each building and plot of land here retains the memories and dedication of past workers, serving as a testament to Xi'an's industrial development.

Leveraging the preserved industrial structures, workshops, and natural surroundings of the former Fenglei Instrument Factory, Xiying Group and Xi'an Industrial Investment Group launched a state-owned enterprise collaboration at the end of 2024. Guided by the principles of "authentic restoration" and "active preservation," they established the Xiying Fenglei Era Film and Television Base, creating Northwest China's largest and first era-themed film production hub.

The overall planning area of the base is 1,018 mu (approximately 678,667 square meters). Guided by the spatial function planning of "One Core, Three Districts and Four Belts", its construction will be implemented in three phases.

"One Core" is the core film and television production area. "Three Districts" covers film and tourism cultural experiences, film art ecological leisure, and film countryside wellness. "Four Belts" consists of era-themed film and television landscapes, film-tourism integration, harmonious rural scenery, and riverbank ecology.

With The Protagonist wrapped, the base will launch full production services and gradually open its soundstages, courtyards, and workshops. A micro drama workshop with over 2000 square meters is now operating, offering over 20 era-themed interior sets, including schools, hospitals, police stations, and residential interiors.