China's Dark Tourism: Young Travelers Pay for Simulated Disasters

• •Lvxing Base offers simulated disaster experiences, attracting young travelers.
• •Participants learn survival techniques in controlled environments mimicking real disasters.
• •The trend is driven by social media and the increasing frequency of extreme weather in China.

In 2026, a surge in 'dark tourism' has emerged in China, with young travelers seeking simulated disaster experiences. Companies like Lvxing Base in Hangzhou offer controlled environments where participants can experience typhoon conditions and flooding. Leon Lv, a 28-year-old from Chongqing, traveled over 1,300 km to participate in a disaster simulation, where she learned survival techniques. The trend is fueled by social media platforms like RedNote, which promote experiences labeled as 'paying to suffer.' Lvxing Base plans to expand its facilities and offerings, including earthquake and fire simulations. The rise in extreme weather events in China has increased public interest in these experiences, with millions affected by real disasters in recent years.