Ever since my last article was published, I’ve received an overwhelming amount of enthusiastic feedback. Players from all over the world are now curious about China’s escape rooms and eager to experience them in person. At the same time, many Chinese escape room owners were thrilled to hear this and announced that they are preparing English versions of their themes to welcome foreign players. As an escape room enthusiast who has always wanted to introduce Chinese escape rooms to the world, this makes me truly excited!
Since my own trip back to China was limited and I didn’t get to try many immersive experiences this time, I invited my friend KK to share her top five favorites. These themes have no puzzle-solving elements—instead, they’re cinematic experiences guided by NPCs, where you’re not just solving mysteries but stepping into a living, breathing movie. If you’re planning a trip to China—whether just for escape rooms or for other reasons—these are a must-play.
- Corrupt Muse《溃烂缪斯》– Guangzhou/Wuhan/ Chengdu/Shanghai/ Beijing/Jinan/Shenzhen/ Hangzhou/Harbin/Changsha
- Bad Machine 《坏机器》– Beijing/Hangzhou
- Cozy Nest《安乐》– Chengdu
- Pilgrimage《朝圣》– Chengdu
- Dolls’ House – Chengdu/Shanghai/Beijing/Jinan
1. Corrupt Muse by Dreamland Traveler
Scare Level: Moderate🙂
Players: 4–8
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: 278 RMB ≈ 52.8 CAD / 38.9 USD / 36.1 EUR
❤️🔥Highlights:
- Packed with horror film easter eggs inspired by It, The Shining, and more
- Surreal set pieces: cornfield mazes, swinging pendulums, smoke-filled swings, decaying banquet tables
- Professional actors with powerful performances and witty interactions
- Stunning, movie-like staging and camera-like scene design
👉 Tip: This room is extremely popular—book at least two weeks in advance
2. Bad Machine by Monster Players
Scare Level: Mild😀
Players: 4–6
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: 388 RMB ≈ 73.7 CAD / 54.3 USD / 50.4 EUR
❤️🔥Highlights:
- A surreal cyberpunk toy factory shrouded in mist and neon lights
- Unforgettable NPCs: sack-headed janitor, explosive bunny, metallic space cat
- Multiple branching paths, each with unique designs and interactions
- Innovative mini-games like “Smile Challenge,” “Toy Sorting,” and “Button Battle” keep adrenaline running high
In short: one of Beijing’s biggest blockbusters of 2025
3. Cozy Nest by Witch Travel Agency
Scare Level: Mild😀
Players: 5–6
Duration: 80 minutes
Price: 268 RMB ≈ 50.9 CAD / 37.5 USD / 34.8 EUR
❤️🔥Highlights:
- A mysterious ship that is both a monster and a looping prison
- Gorgeous staging: beams of light through wooden cracks, eerie Japanese-style screens, unsettling dancers
- Heavy atmosphere reminiscent of Little Nightmares in first-person perspective—sneak, flee, survive
- Uniquely, you can actually eat food during the experience, without breaking immersion!
In short : a one-of-a-kind “video game” immersive experience
4. Pilgrimage by Witch Travel Agency
Scare Level: Mild😀
Players: 5–8
Duration: 80 minutes
Price: 288 RMB ≈ 54.7 CAD / 40.3 USD / 37.4 EUR
❤️🔥Highlights:
- A cyberpunk game-like experience where you must complete quests, fight monsters, and level up
- Striking NPCs: mechanical geisha, clockwork bunny, screen-faced “Momo”
- Split routes: a dreamlike carousel amusement park vs. a haunting slaughterhouse + surreal hotel combo
- Epic finale: humans battling giant mechas, complete with visual effects, with multiple branching endings
In short: the closest you’ll get to stepping inside a real-time video game
5. Dolls’ House by LostLand
Scare Level: Mild😀
Players: 5–6
Duration: 80 minutes
Price: 243 RMB ≈ 46.2 CAD / 34.0 USD / 31.6 EUR
❤️🔥Highlights:
- Storyline: What starts as an innocent puppet show turns into a twisted task—you’re no longer just an audience, but craftsmen forced to create dolls for the eerie shop owner.
- Set design captures the unsettling vibe of a creepy doll shop: a rickety signboard, scattered doll fragments, and rows of cutting tools setting the tone for what’s to come.
- The hallway performance is the most visually striking moment: from a sea of sparks lit by a lighter to three actors creating the illusion of a massive crowd, the spectacle leaves players in awe.
- Innovative flow design avoids the typical “formulaic escape room.” From ritual-like record selection to actors switching in an instant, every detail shows thought and creativity.
- High scare factor: densely packed jump scares and chilling Russian-style horror vibes. Creepy dolls appear at close range, accompanied by sinister laughter. In one path, dolls flickered into view all around, creating overwhelming tension and atmosphere.
- Emotional finale: “Between ideals and reality lies our fleeting life.” The story may not rely on intense plot twists, but its subtle emotional depth leaves a lingering aftertaste long after the game ends.
In short: The Dolls’ house is a haunting blend of horror and artistry—both a visual feast and an emotional ride.
Final Thoughts : China’s escape rooms are constantly evolving and advancing at a rapid pace. I’m often amazed by the speed at which new themes are launched. I believe that, just as China’s natural beauty is being discovered by more people around the world, its escape rooms will soon earn a well-deserved place on the global stage.
Escape Room Insights 
Leave a comment