To stimulate regional economic growth and boost consumption, Shinan district of Qingdao, Shandong province, recently launched a series of consumer promotions during the a cultural tourism festival.

For example, the shopping complex Mixc is providing customers with discounts and incentives, while other shopping malls such as Hisense Plaza, Oriental Ginza, Aeon Mall have also held various promotional activities to celebrate May 20, or "520", which is a homophone of "I love you" in Chinese.

During the festival, the sales revenue of major supermarkets and shopping centers in Shinan exceeded 51 million yuan ($7.21 million), a year-on-year increase of more than 30 percent.

The district has also been ramping up efforts to create new consumption scenarios that integrate eating, accommodation, traveling, shopping and entertainment, as well as offer immersive travel experiences for visitors to bolster tourism consumption and economic development.

The Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, Silverfish Street and the Red House Art Museum have been especially popular among tourists during the festival.

Shinan has also issued a limited edition hand-drawn map featuring local tourist routes, scenic spots, popular restaurants, supermarkets, parking lots, public toilets and street hidden delicacies to tourists. 

"The map displays new consumption scenes in Shinan, highlights the cultural tourism resources and allows more tourists to feel the charm of the city from a new perspective," said a local official.

An aerial view of Shinan [Photo/WeChat account: Shinanly]