Kunshan continues to invest in tourism

Kunshan, home to Zhouzhuang one of the most famous water towns in East China, is continuing in its efforts to boost tourism on the back of the recent opening of Shanghai Disney.

As a satellite city of Shanghai, Kunshan has implemented a series of creative and innovative reforms to attract tourists, such as promoting itself as the birthplace of Kunqu Opera.

The city has integrated many of its tourist areas with transport routes and associated industries such as leisure and retail to provide a convenient one-stop-shop to visitors.

As result of these reforms, Kunshan attracted some 9 million visitors in the first half of 2016, yielding revenues of 11.9 billion yuan ($1.8 billion), and a year-on-year growth rate of 6 percent.

And the city is not sitting still. Kunshan is actively building high-end recreational complexes. Some 3.2 billion yuan is to be invested in projects such as building hotels around the Dianshan Lake, as well as cultural parks and ancient potteries. A 12-kilometer-long cycling track will be built along the Mingjingdang Lake, as well as a romantic floral sea park.

Kunshan has a reputation for creative tourism projects and plans. In 2013, the city hosted the third annual World Cyber Games, tapping into the ever-growing industry of competitive e-sports.