Minhang Boosted by New Year Holiday Spending

Minhang District's consumer market was lively during the New Year holiday from January 1-3, with floral marketplaces and live performances.

Across 14 commercial districts and 43 significant retail sites, the district's commerce commission reported 341 million yuan (US$48 million) in retail consumption and 4.13 million visits over the three-day holiday period.

The break boosted consumer spending. New Year's Day sales were 146 million yuan, up 20.1 percent year-over-year. Average transaction value rose 4.4 percent to 88.43 yuan, and footfall rose 15.03 percent to 1.65 million.

Except for the newly opened Hongqiao Qianwan Incity Mega in Huacao Town, sales revenue, footfall and average transaction value on New Year's Day grew 3.89 percent, 4.4 percent and 0.47 percent, respectively, indicating strong consumer sentiment and growth momentum.

Gold accessories, jewelry, dining and cinema stood out in retail.

Demand for gold and jewelry rose 135.1 percent last year. Younger consumers have been drawn to Laopu Gold's trendy designs and seasonal goods, indicating a shift in consumer tastes.

Overall, catering spending rose 27.4 percent year-over-year. BBQ chain "Long Time Ago" increased sales by 57 percent year-over-year. "Zootopia 2" and other blockbusters drove movie market expansion. Year-over-year growth in the Christmas box office was 29.3 percent, boosting festive spending.

New shopping center

December 23 saw the opening of Hongqiao Qianwan Incity Mega. An international social and recreational destination, the mall features over 350 businesses in food, fashion, sports, entertainment, lifestyle, family-friendly and pet-friendly categories.

It houses Shake Shack, Peet's Coffee, Hoyts Cinema, Muji and Uniqlo.

At the mall, Global Work's first Chinese mainland store, Minhang's first Dome Climber's Camp, Crying Center's Shanghai store and the first IMAX film theater opened.

Hongqiao Qianwan Incity Mega created Shanghai's first "Zootopia 2" mall exhibition with Disney China to celebrate its inauguration. In the mall, the immersive display recreated the city center, rainforest, wet market and Tundratown, offering photo places and themed experiences.

During the holidays, it had over 140,000 daily visitors, topping Dianping's ranking of shopping centers by popularity.

For its customer benefits program, the shopping center used regional resources for community service, healthcare, pet-friendly services, education, nature and technology.

Cultural events like the "Zootopia Wonder Night" music party, an immersive musical interactive theater experience, and the "Warm and Hearty Food Festival" boosted holiday moods.

Village triathlon

Over 150 farmers from Pujiang Town and neighboring agricultural townships and 20 families competed in a "village triathlon" at Gexin Village on December 28.

Mini horseback riding, land kayaking and grain-carrying contests were held, and contestants followed a circuit that wound through homestays, riverbanks, bamboo forests and campsites nestled among natural surroundings.

The participants had taken up athletics and immersed themselves in village life, feeling a strong link between the two.

A bazaar market was held, showcasing characteristic agricultural items from Pujiang and nearby townships and subdistricts, as well as regional tourist attractions.

The carnival promoted and deepened rural cultural and sporting activities with tourism and a complementary and symbiotic rural industrial ecosystem, boosting Shanghai's rural revitalization and rural areas' sporting activities and sentiments.

Heritage and attractions

Minhang's charm lies in its unusual blend of seemingly incompatible cultural heritage and tourism attractions.

During the recent "Discover Shanghai" Tourism Guide Super Competition, eight district tourism routes were highlighted, covering traditional handicrafts, food bazaar, and immersive cultural and creative industries.

The district thrives on its unique blend of heritage and modernity, tranquility and energy, and craftsmanship and inventiveness.

To escape the crowds over the holidays, relax and enjoy the distinct and serene attractions.

Walk leisurely and watch shadow puppet shows while eating local specialties.

One can have a soft, sticky square rice cake in Qibao Old Town's ancient lanes in the morning while listening to the rhythmic chanting of a shadow puppet performance.

At the Powerlong Museum, guests can admire contemporary art and special exhibitions on modern Chinese art.

The MJ389 Culture Park near Qibao Old Town offered personalized New Year's gifts.

Children enjoyed tropical rainforest-themed crochet sculptures and Winter Olympics-inspired wool knitting at the Xinzhuang Crochet Studio.

The Guanghua Creative District is a unique neighborhood that combines creativity, leisure and food. Old factory buildings have been converted into cultural and creative hubs.

The Deqiu Lixiang Valley Cultural and Creative Park has fairy-tale castles, art exhibits, gardens and wood-fired ovens.