Tonglu Boosts Tourism With Immersive Sites And Upgrades
Olympic champion diver Quan Hongchan recently visited the Chuiyun Tongtian River scenic area in Tonglu, China, to interact with a costumed performer known as the Turtle Immortal. This lighthearted exchange quickly spread on Chinese social media, drawing new attention to how the county is changing its approach to tourism.
New Interactive Experiences In Caves And Rivers
At the Chuiyun Tongtian River, the Turtle Immortal is played by 26-year-old opera performer Zhang Yunbin, who studied in Russia and speaks English and Russian. More than 120 performers take part in the program, playing characters inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Visitors encounter actors who improvise scenes, pose for photos, and pull travelers into short interactions along the river route. Similar interactive experiences are appearing at Yaolin Wonderland and Yan Ziling Fishing Platform, where performers appear as characters from folklore and local life.
Highway Rest Stop Attraction Draws Visitors
Tonglu has also introduced unusual attractions outside traditional scenic areas. During the May Day holiday, travelers stopping at the Tonglu service area on the G25 Changchun–Shenzhen Expressway encountered a large aquarium and mermaid performances. The service area received more than 80,000 visitors a day during the holiday, turning a routine highway break into a destination. County data show that Tonglu received 1.61 million visits during the May Day holiday, which is up 13.2% from a year earlier, while tourism revenue reached 958 million yuan, or roughly $132 million, marking a 12.4% increase according to authorities.
Summer Campaigns And Services For International Guests
In late July, Tonglu launched a summer tourism campaign titled Water Play Kingdom: Tonglu Is Wild to promote rafting, family activities, village stays, and outdoor recreation. The county is also working to improve services for international travelers. Yaolin township has been selected as a provincial pilot area for inbound-tourism innovation, with work underway to provide multilingual signs, international payment options, and accessible information for overseas guests.