Explore the World of Genshin Impact in Real Life: Ultimate Travel Ideas for Filipinos

If you’ve ever found yourself pausing mid-battle in Genshin Impact just to admire the view, you’re not alone. For Filipino gamers who also love to travel, here’s a cool secret: many of the jaw-dropping landscapes in Teyvat were inspired by real-world locations. And yes, you can visit them in real life. So, whether you're planning your next trip abroad or just daydreaming while grinding for Primogems, this list will make you see both the game and the world a little differently.

Genshin Impact | Hoyoverse Official Website

Here are eleven real-world locations that inspired Genshin Impact, and why they deserve a spot on your travel bucket list.

Also read: 16 Stunning Places in the Philippines That Look Like Foreign Destinations

The Heart of Mondstadt – Bern, Switzerland

Bern, Switzerland | Kelvin Tan via Flickr

The vibrant, freedom-loving city of Mondstadt is heavily inspired by Bern, Switzerland, with its cobblestone streets, medieval towers, and peaceful riverside charm. Mondstadt’s windmills and cathedral-like structures resemble Bern’s old town centre, making it easy to imagine yourself bumping into Amber or Venti on a quiet afternoon stroll.

Dragonspine – The Matterhorn, Switzerland

Matterhorn | SilvanBachmann via Getty Images

Struggling to survive the freezing cold of Dragonspine? That brutal mountain range was inspired by the Matterhorn, one of Switzerland’s most iconic peaks. The sharp, pyramid-like mountain mirrors Dragonspine’s dramatic cliffs and snowy danger zones. Just like in the game, the Matterhorn is awe-inspiring but not for the faint of heart.

Golden Apple Archipelago – Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Halong Bay, Vietnam | Bloodua via Getty Images

During the summer updates, the Golden Apple Archipelago appears in-game with floating islands and whimsical puzzles. Its real-world counterpart? Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, known for its emerald waters and towering limestone karsts. Perfect for a boat trip, this UNESCO World Heritage Site looks like it was designed for exploration—no teleport waypoints needed.

Tenshukaku – Himeji Castle, Japan

Himeji Castle, Japan | Japan Guide Official Website

Tenshukaku, the imposing structure at the centre of Inazuma City, is a nod to Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s most famous and well-preserved castles. With its white plaster walls and elegant curves, Himeji is more serene than stormy Inazuma, but you’ll immediately recognise the architectural similarities.

Luhua Pool – Huanglong River, China

Huanglong River, China | Jean-Marie Hullot via Flickr

That tranquil water garden at Luhua Pool was inspired by the Huanglong River in China, a place known for its terraced hot springs and crystal-clear pools. In real life, this colourful, mineral-rich landscape looks just as magical—minus the Hilichurls, of course.

Starsnatch Cliff – Isle of Skye, Scotland

Isle of Skye, Scotland | Scotland City Tours Official Website

If you’ve ever wished to take a dreamy photo at Starsnatch Cliff, you’ll love the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Known for dramatic coastlines and rugged cliffs, it’s easy to picture Lisa gazing out over the sea here. The comparison becomes even clearer when the Scottish fog rolls in, giving off serious Teyvat vibes.

Mondstadt Cathedral – Mont Saint-Michel, France

Mont Saint-Michel, France | France of a Lifetime Official Website

Another inspiration for Mondstadt is Mont Saint-Michel, a small island commune off the coast of Normandy. Its fairy tale-like cathedral, which rises from the sea at high tide, clearly influenced the grandeur of the Cathedral of Favonius. It’s one of those real-world inspirations that makes you wonder if the developers were just recreating their travel photos.

Mt. Tianheng – Tianmen Mountain, China

Tianmen Mountain, China | Xiquinhosilva via Wikimedia Commons

Standing tall behind Liyue Harbour, Mt. Tianheng resembles Tianmen Mountain in China. Known for its 999-step stairway and natural rock arch called Heaven’s Gate, this location mirrors the grandeur and spiritual aura of Liyue's mountainous terrain. Hikers, you might want to add this to your bucket list.

Huaguang Stone Forest – Tianzi Mountain, China

Tianzi Mountain, China | Visit Our China Official Website

The floating peaks and surreal formations of the Huaguang Stone Forest come from the real-world Tianzi Mountain, located in China’s Wulingyuan Scenic Area. It’s also the same place that inspired the floating mountains in James Cameron’s Avatar. If you’re after that otherworldly photo op, this one’s for you.

Sobek Oasis – Ubari Oasis, Libya

Ubari Oasis, Libya | Sfivat via Wikimedia Commons

Although Sobek Oasis in Genshin hasn’t gained as much spotlight yet, its design pulls from the Ubari Oasis in Libya—a rare desert wetland surrounded by massive sand dunes. It’s an oasis in the truest sense and adds a unique flair to the desert biomes in the game.

Wangshu Inn – Hanging Temple of Hengshan & Guilin, China

Hanging Temple of Hengshan | Charlie Fong via Wikimedia Commons

Floating high above ground and perched on a cliff, Wangshu Inn reminds many travellers of the Hanging Temple of Hengshan, a gravity-defying structure in China built into a sheer rock face. Combine that with the scenic karst mountains of Guilin, and you get a near-perfect match.

Also read: The Perfect Travel Destination for Every Filipino Based on MBTI Personality

Why it matters for Filipino fans

For many Filipinos, gaming and travel are more than hobbies—they're passions. Discovering the real-world locations behind Genshin Impact's map adds a whole new level of appreciation and inspires fresh travel goals.

Whether you're a Genshin main, a content creator, or just love exploring fantasy-like places, these real-life spots bring Teyvat to life.

So next time you plan a trip, go where Genshin was born. You might just feel like you're walking through Teyvat itself.