{
  "id": 2155305,
  "title": "Tonglu Enhances Regional Tourism Strategy Through Immersive Experiences and Infrastructure Upgrades",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/tonglu-enhances-regional-tourism-strategy-through-immersive",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T14:09:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Arabian Post",
    "slug": "arabian-post",
    "url": "https://thearabianpost.com/tonglu-enhances-regional-tourism-strategy-through-immersive-experiences-and-infrastructure-upgrades/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tonglu, a county in Zhejiang province, China, is enhancing its regional tourism strategy by incorporating immersive experiences and upgrading infrastructure. Olympic diver Quan Hongchan visited the Chuiyun Tongtian River scenic area, where he interacted with the \"Turtle Immortal,\" a costumed performer who greets visitors during cave tours. This character has become a popular attraction, encouraging visitors to engage with the site rather than merely taking photos. Tonglu is adding performers, interactive storylines, and water activities to make travel stops more memorable, with over 120 performers participating in the program. Similar immersive experiences are being implemented at other sites, such as Yaolin Wonderland and Yan Ziling Fishing Platform. In addition, a highway rest area now features an aquarium and mermaid performances, turning a routine stop into a destination. Tonglu's tourism revenue increased by 12.4% during the May Day holiday, reaching 958 million yuan. The county is also preparing for international tourists by implementing multilingual signage, international payment options, and other services. By treating landscapes as settings for activities, stories, and encounters, Tonglu aims to create more options for visitors to spend a full weekend and potentially return in another season.",
  "summary": "TONGLU, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 20 August 2026 - Olympic champion diver Quan Hongchan visited the Chuiyun Tongtian River scenic area in Tonglu, China, in early August — not to dive, but to joke with the \"Turtle Immortal,\" a costumed performer entertaining passengers on boats through the river and its caves. The \"Turtle Immortal,\" an interactive character at Chuiyun Tongtian River in…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}