Chinese drama The Early Spring has attracted attention not only for its emotional storyline but also for the real locations used throughout its 24 episodes. Starring Jing Boran and Sun Qian, the drama follows the complicated relationship between Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao, moving between Beijing, Harbin and several other visually distinctive locations.
The production was filmed over around three months between September and November 2025. Rather than relying entirely on studio sets, the crew used real buildings, streets, residential areas and cultural sites to create the world of the story.
A major part of the drama takes place in Beijing, where Shang Zhitao moves to pursue a career in advertising. She eventually joins Lingmei, where she works under Luan Nian, a demanding creative director. Several modern business locations were used to portray the professional world of the characters.
The Asia Financial Center and AIIB Headquarters near Beijing's Olympic Park were among the locations featured in the early episodes. The contemporary atrium was used for the first meeting between Shang Zhitao and Luan Nian. Other scenes were filmed at the Beijing Kerry Centre and CP Center in Chaoyang, adding a modern corporate atmosphere to the workplace sequences.
Shang Zhitao's home was filmed in Tiantongyuan, one of Beijing's largest residential communities. The production used areas including East District 1 and West District 2 to portray the apartment where Zhitao lives, providing a contrast to the polished offices seen earlier in the story.
The drama takes on a completely different visual character when the story moves to Harbin, Shang Zhitao's hometown. Snow-covered streets, historic architecture and European-influenced buildings create a more nostalgic atmosphere.
One of the most recognisable locations is Saint Sophia Cathedral and Architectural Art Square. The green-domed cathedral and surrounding historic buildings feature prominently in the winter sequences. Central Street, or Zhongyang Dajie, is another prominent Harbin location, known for its European-style architecture and pedestrian-friendly streets.
The production also used a real Russian-style private restaurant on West 13th Street in Harbin. The restaurant was transformed into the fictional Old Couple's Tavern, where Zhitao reunites with her parents after her breakup with Luan Nian. The guesthouse above the restaurant was also adapted to represent her parents' home.
Another location was the Donghechang 1917 Wide Street Cultural Complex, where the crew filmed for two days. Its historic red-brick buildings provided another distinctive backdrop for the Harbin portions of the series.
Some of the drama's snowy scenes were actually filmed at Jinlong Mountain near Harbin. The location doubled for Switzerland in sequences involving a ski resort and snowy mountain landscapes. The Junwang Mountain camping base was used for several scenes, including Luan Nian's emotional journey and the supposed Swiss holiday.
The final filming location was Jinlong Mountain, with production reportedly wrapping on November 26, 2025.
Interestingly, the scenes that appear to show the characters travelling to Tibet were actually filmed in Beijing. The production used the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park, or Minzu Park, in Chaoyang District. Its Tibetan village area includes traditional architecture, temples and prayer flags, allowing the filmmakers to recreate the appearance of Tibet without leaving Beijing.
The Early Spring, directed by Jiang Ji Zheng and adapted from Gu Niang Bie Ku's web novel Zao Chun Qing Lang, premiered on August 26 on Netflix and Youku. The story follows Shang Zhitao as she builds a career in Beijing, develops a secret relationship with her boss Luan Nian, and later reconnects with him after years of separation.
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