Shanghai has launched a multifaceted tourism and cultural initiative in Bangkok, Thailand, featuring the celebrated Yuyuan Lantern Festival, aimed at attracting more Thai visitors.

The event, called Amazing Shanghai Week and accompanied by the Shanghai Summer promotion, began on Aug 8 and continues through Aug 15.

Held at Bangkok's IconSiam shopping center, Amazing Shanghai Week is designed to present the essence of Shanghai to Thai residents.

A visual exhibition of over 80 photographs and illustrations, selected from official Shanghai sources and the IP Shanghai platform, forms the heart of the presentation. These works, created by both Chinese and international artists, including Thai individuals residing in Shanghai, showcase Shanghai's spirit of openness, innovation, and inclusivity.

The exhibition highlights Shanghai's architectural diversity, featuring both historical landmarks like the Shanghai Postal Museum and the Bund, and renewed spaces such as the Xinhua Community Design Center and the Yangpu waterfront.

Accompanying the lantern displays, short videos depicting Shanghai's urban landscapes further immerse visitors in the city's atmosphere. Interactive exhibits offer a virtual "trip" between Shanghai and Bangkok, enhanced by a dynamic illustration installation that responds to visitor commands and animates Shanghai landmarks.

Cultural performances by Thai students from the Chinese Bridge competition, including calligraphy, dance, and martial arts, provide a vivid display of cultural exchange. These performances are intended to underscore the growing bond between the two countries, which are marking 50 years of diplomatic relations.

To encourage travel to Shanghai, the Shanghai Summer promotion offers various incentives for international tourists. These include more than one million discounted air tickets from China Eastern Airlines, the Shanghai Pass that offers access to transportation, attractions, and discounts, and convenient payment and tax refund services through UnionPay. The offers are timed to coincide with special events at popular Shanghai destinations like the Yuyuan Garden.

The initiative comes as tourism between China and Thailand continues to blossom. In the first half of 2024, Shanghai welcomed more than 4.15 million international tourists, including 254,000 from Thailand, representing a 140 percent year-on-year increase. Tax-refunded goods sales from January to July surpassed 2 billion yuan ($278.8 million), an 80 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Shanghai aims to inspire personalized travel experiences by extending a warm invitation to Thai travelers and making use of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy.

Source: Shanghai Observer