Urism is paying off
flavor, enriching the visitor’s experience with a blend of natural beauty and cultural depth.
Songjiang’s approach to tourism is as dynamic as it is diverse. The district has cultivated a variety of tourism products and routes that cater to a wide range of interests and preferences.
The educational and thematic tours were initiated last year with the “One River, One Creek” Research Tour. This educational journey allows visitors to delve into the history and ecology of Songjiang’s waterways, offering a unique blend of learning and leisure.
Songjiang has also deepened the integration of “museum culture” with “intangible cultural heritage” and tourism. Utilizing historic house clusters in the Cangcheng and Sijing areas, the district designed immersive cultural heritage tours, allowing visitors to engage directly with the rich cultural tapestry of Songjiang.
Emphasizing the district’s commitment to eco-friendly tourism, the district introduced 14 thematic cycling routes. These trails are designed around key themes like “countryside” and “ecology,” providing a refreshing way to explore the district’s scenic landscapes and cultural landmarks.
One notable example is the fifth Maotian Countryside Art Festival held last autumn. This festival turned the vast rice fields of Maogang Town into a canvas for artistic expression, merging the beauty of agriculture with the creativity of art. This immersive rural journey attracted nearly 30,000 visitors, achieving significant sales figures.
Driving industrial development
By merging cultural tourism with rural landscapes, Songjiang is not only enhancing the appeal of its rural areas but also driving high-quality industrial development.
The picturesque rural towns – Xinbang, Maogang, Yexie and Shihudang, to name a few – are the jewels in the crown of Songjiang’s “Maotian Countryside” rural tourism brand. These towns boast stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and a tranquil environment, making them ideal destinations for visitors seeking an authentic rural experience.
In 2023, Songjiang made significant strides in crafting unique rural tourism experiences. This included the launch of 13 meticulously curated rural tourism routes, emphasizing local culinary delights, traditional accommodations and engaging recreational activities.
To support this rural tourism boom, the district has focused on enhancing infrastructure and services. This includes guiding the development of high-quality rural accommodations like “Chengxi Hot Spring Resort” and “Yexie Light Hidden•Flower Corner,” ensuring visitors enjoy comfort and quality during their stay.
Songjiang’s tourism market has witnessed a remarkable resurgence, seizing opportunities to elevate the level of cultural and tourism services.
This comprehensive enhancement caters not only to the physical aspects of tourism but also to the overall experience and satisfaction of visitors.
The district also partnered with 10 A-level scenic spots to offer half-priced tickets and other benefits.
This initiative has significantly increased the district’s appeal as a tourist destination, in addition to several cultural activities like study tours, intangible heritage exhibitions and reading sessions.