On February 8, the world's first iQiyi theme park opened its doors in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, accompanied by the release of colorful balloons and the park's theme song "Stars in Your Eyes." This milestone marks iQiyi's significant expansion into offline experiential entertainment while establishing a new cultural tourism landmark along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal that blends technology with film and television IP.
The opening ceremony featured iQiyi founder and CEO Gong Yu, Chief Content Officer Wang Xiaohui, Acting CFO Zeng Ying, Senior Vice President and Head of Experiential Business Zhang Hang, Senior Vice President Chen Hongjia, and Vice President and Editor-in-Chief Wang Zhaonan. They were joined by Yangzhou City Control Group Chairman Fang Xuanzhi, Deputy Secretaries Xu Fei and Zhou Ping, Vice President Wu Jian, as well as executives from partner companies including Changxin Media, Strawbear Entertainment Group, and Blue Sky Media Group. Two iQiyi VIP members participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside the executives.
Twenty celebrity guests attended the grand opening, joining the first wave of visitors and partners for an immersive tour experience. Gong Yu emphasized that this inaugural park represents iQiyi's crucial transition from online to offline operations. Leveraging its extensive IP portfolio and accumulated expertise in full-sensory theater development, iQiyi aims to create next-generation theme parks that rapidly adapt to audience preferences through VR and AI technologies.
Fang Xuanzhi noted that the Yangzhou iQiyi Park serves not merely as an entertainment destination but as a bridge connecting virtual and real worlds while merging historical and futuristic elements. The park will use technological innovation to showcase Chinese cultural stories and inject new vitality into Yangzhou's development.
The opening day featured continuous interactions between celebrity guests and visitors. The group "Ten Hardworking Days," serving as global ambassadors for iQiyi Park, sent five representatives to extend invitations to worldwide tourists, describing the park as embodying youthfulness, novelty, fantasy, and joy.
The park features multiple immersive attractions developed from iQiyi's popular IPs. The "Strange Tales of the Tang Dynasty" themed area welcomed cast members including Yang Zhigang and Gao Siwen, while the "The Knockout" section saw actor Su Xiaoding return to the classic "Old Factory Street" setting. Actress Wang Herun made a surprise appearance in the "Mysterious Lotus Bookstore" immersive theater zone.
Located in Guangling District's "Ten Miles of Canal" demonstration area, the 10,000-square-meter indoor theme park distinguishes itself from traditional outdoor parks through its compact size, rapid iteration capability, and strong interactive elements. The park brings classic Chinese IPs like "Strange Tales of the Tang Dynasty" and "Journey to the West" to life through VR and full-sensory equipment, allowing visitors to solve mysteries in ancient Chang'an or relive iconic cinematic moments.
A customized cultural experience, "Flying Along the Grand Canal," utilizes 8K VR glasses and motion seats to simulate an aerial tour along the historic waterway. The park operates on an all-access ticket system covering full-sensory theaters, interactive light shows, immersive stages, photo opportunities, character interactions, and social games. IP-themed dining and exclusive merchandise are also available.
During the upcoming Spring Festival, the park will host special events including "Mysterious Lotus Bookstore Theme Month" and intangible cultural heritage activities. Two additional iQiyi parks are under construction in Kaifeng and Beijing, promising more culturally-integrated immersive experiences. iQiyi plans to continue expanding its experiential business through technological innovation, creating emotionally resonant entertainment that contributes to the upgrade of China's cultural tourism industry.
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