Kunshan, one of the most well- known water towns in China, is looking to enrich its image further by hosting a temporary exhibition at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station.
The exhibition space is around 80 square meters and is decorated with green tiles and white walls to give it the impression of a traditional Kunshan residential house. Hongqiao is China's largest transportation hub and will certainly give Kunshan additional exposure with 3,000 visitors expected to pass through the exhibition every day.
In order to better familiarize the visitors with the city, the exhibition presents detailed information displays, a photographic series, and short films. Visitors are able to have a better understanding of Kunshan’s unique historical sites, its stunning landscape, and its local delicacies.
The exhibition also displays some of Kunshan's local artisan culture including bamboo weaving and tile making. Also on display are some of the costumes used in Kunshan based Kunqu Opera, one of the oldest operas in China.
This current exhibition comes off the back of a similar one held by in March by the Kunshan Tourism Resort at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Its purpose was to elevate the city's reputation both home and abroad and was deemed a great success.
Kunshan opened a direct bus line to and from Shanghai Disney Resort this year. It is hoped that due to the ease of transportation a greater number of visitors to Disney will include the traditional water town in their itineraries.
Mr. Chen a visitor to the exhibition in Hongqiao Station was captivated by the photographs and films of Kunshan.
"We are planning to visit the famous water town Zhouzhuang after our trip to Disney. Its slow pace of life, delicious freshwater food and wonderful views are really appealing,"
The Kunshan Tourism Resort is also making effort to promote the city and its subordinate counties and towns, by integrating agricultural and folk cultures together. It has so far identified 11 pilot villages and complexes as key sites for the development of its rural tourism.
The exhibition will run until Oct 3.