Tonglu's Immersive Tourism: From Cave Performers to Highway Aquariums

Tonglu, a county in eastern China's Zhejiang province, is transforming its scenic landscapes into immersive, interactive experiences to boost tourism. The recent visit of Olympic diving champion Quan Hongchan to the Chuiyun Tongtian River scenic area highlighted this shift when she playfully interacted with the "Turtle Immortal," a costumed performer embodying a character from the classic novel Journey to the West. The performer, Zhang Yunbin, is a 26-year-old opera singer fluent in English and Russian, part of a rotating cast of over 120 actors who engage visitors in improvised skits, photo opportunities, and playful banter along river routes and cave tours. This approach, part of the broader immersive travel trend, is also seen at other Tonglu attractions like Yaolin Wonderland and Yan Ziling Fishing Platform, where folkloric characters appear among caves and riverbanks.

Beyond scenic areas, Tonglu is innovating at unexpected spots, such as the Tonglu service area on the G25 Expressway, which now features a large aquarium and mermaid performances. During the May Day holiday, this rest stop attracted over 80,000 visitors daily, contributing to a countywide total of 1.61 million visits (up 13.2% year-on-year) and tourism revenue of 958 million yuan (up 12.4%). The county's summer campaign, "Water Play Kingdom: Tonglu Is Wild," promotes rafting, family activities, and village stays to encourage longer visits. Additionally, Tonglu is preparing for international tourists by piloting multilingual signs and international payment options in Yaolin township, with the multilingual "Turtle Immortal" symbolizing this effort. These initiatives aim to transform passive sightseeing into active participation, making every stop memorable and encouraging visitors to linger.