CPOPwave: Chinese pop culture IPs unite in Hangzhou

The Dongchao Art Park in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province is hosting the 2025 CPOPwave exhibition. [Photo/CMG]

The first-ever CPOPwave exhibition will be held from May 28 to June 10 at the Dongchao Art Park in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, where it will feature 20 of the most influential Chinese intellectual properties (IPs) from novels, films, games, animations, and designer toys.

So, what is CPOP? More than just a buzzword, Chinese pop culture encapsulates the explosive growth of China's creative content in recent years. From epic science fiction films like "The Wandering Earth" to genre-defining games such as "Honor of Kings" and "Black Myth: Wukong," Chinese IPs are not just going viral at home – they're captivating global audiences.

This selection of IPs represent some of China's most influential cultural exports from 2023 and 2024, based on data from platforms like YouTube, TikTok, X, Facebook, and Google Search.

A showcase of costumes from "The Wandering Earth" movie series is seen on display at the Dongchao Art Park in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in May 2025. [Photo/CMG]

A showcase of costumes from Chinese TV series "Till The End of The Moon" is seen on display at the Dongchao Art Park in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on May 27, 2025. [Photo/CGTN]

With industrial red-brick backdrops, colorful shipping containers, and movie-level set pieces, the CPOPwave exhibition offers a rare opportunity to delve into how Chinese creators are crafting content that resonates globally. Visitors can expect interactive storytelling, displays of rare props, and even AI-powered installations.

Some of the not-to-miss highlights include a showcase of "The Wandering Earth 2," where a hardcore sci-fi world is brought to life with real props flown in directly from the film set of "The Wandering Earth 3." The exhibition also fuses elements of anime, gaming and fandom culture into stunning, interactive displays. Also, keep an eye out for a Unitree robot dressed as the character Wu Zhu from "Joy of Life" in a locally inspired cosplay.