Integrating Commerce, Culture, and Tourism to Drive Market Innovation in Linyi’s Lanshan

LINYI, China, Dec. 12, 2024 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–
As December arrives, the Small Commodity Market in Lanshan District, Linyi, is adorned with festive red lanterns, ushering in a joyful holiday atmosphere. In a cultural and creative store, a variety of themed paper cuttings and handmade gift boxes are flying off the shelves. Wang Guifang, the store owner, explains that over her 30 years in business, she has continually adapted to market trends. As the store expanded, it evolved from a focus on school supplies to a broader collection of culturally enriched, artistic products.

“With the rise of China-Chic culture in recent years, we’ve seen a significant increase in visitors. We’ve created an experience zone where tourists can take a break and appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese culture,” Wang said.

Image: The Yihe Boat Banquet

The shift towards “youthfulness” is a key sales driver for many market vendors. The Linyi Imported Goods Market has built an international cultural and tourism complex that features a marine-themed amusement park, an imported goods wholesale distribution center, and a cross-border e-commerce industrial park. By leveraging its strategic layout, the market seamlessly integrates shopping, entertainment, and tourism.

“Visitors who are in a hurry and can’t carry items with them can shop online via the Lanhua cross-border mini-program. It offers over 130,000 products with a wider variety and lower prices. Purchased items can be shipped via multiple channels and delivered directly to the visitors’ hands, making it both affordable and convenient,” explained Wang Baohui, deputy manager of Lanhua Duty-Free Shop.

Image: The beautiful scenery of Yi River

The combination of cultural and tourism resources is accelerating the integration of various business models. The area surrounding the Linyi Imported Goods Market boasts tourist attractions such as the Calligraphy Museum, the Art Gallery, the Calligraphy Square, and the Waterbus Service. The fusion of commercial, cultural, and tourism elements is fostering a vibrant atmosphere where these sectors enhance and support one another.

In recent years, Lanshan District has embraced a development philosophy that integrates commerce with culture, culture with tourism, and tourism with commerce. This approach has organically merged traditional wholesale markets with cultural and tourism elements, giving the market a distinctive cultural tourism character. By following 3A-level standards, the district is creating tourism routes, products, and services that aim to position the district as a premier destination for tourism shopping and a new tourist hotspot. This approach helps promote a “dual upgrade” of both commerce and tourism to push the market to expand beyond its traditional boundaries.