Tiexiangsi Riverfront typifies the park-city ethos of Chengdu

The 31st FISU Summer World University Games were held in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, from July 28 to Aug 8. Young athletes from around the world not only competed in the sports events, but also immersed themselves in the unique charm of China's rich and diverse culture.

Technology companies in the Chengdu Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, the venue for the Chengdu FISU Games' table tennis competition participated in various aspects of the event including training, security, food safety and integrated management.

New consumption landmark

Tiexiangsi Riverfront, located in the Chengdu high-tech zone, is a park-style cultural and commercial block with the theme of Sichuan style and modern life. A popular destination to experience traditional Chinese culture and Chengdu's international consumer space, it was recently nominated as a national New Consumer Landmark.

At the opening ceremony of the Chengdu FISU Games, the Sanxingdui bronze figures representing Bashu culture, a regional culture centered in Sichuan and Chongqing, made a stunning appearance.

The bronze figures showcased a profound civilization that existed more than 3,000 years ago. The combination of the modern spectacle and the old artifacts was harmonious and inclusive, allowing the world to see the richness of Chengdu's culture.

Located in Tiexiangsi Riverfront, Zhixing Building is the first national experiential space authorized by the Sanxingdui Museum. With Sanxingdui culture as the carrier, it creates a collective space integrating the cultural and creative industries, exhibitions, bookstores and dining.

"Through such innovative consumer spaces, we hope to generate interest and love for traditional culture among the younger generation," said Xia Chunyu, the person in charge of Zhixing Building.

In less than a month since its opening, the building has attracted tourists from over 10 countries.

They came to take photos with the rocking Sanxingdui mini bronze dolls, as well as exploring the Sanxingdui-themed ceramic bowls and archaeological blind boxes.

Zhixing Building is a microcosm integrating Chinese and Western cultures in Tiexiangsi Riverfront.

Chen Ying, director of the department of tourism management at Chengdu University, said: "Tianfu culture has been flourishing for more than 2,000 years, and the stories of Tiexiangsi alone date back more than 400 years. How to create a scenic area and better lead the consumption upgrading in Chengdu is a topic that is being eagerly explored."

Tiexiangsi Riverfront boasts the traditional cultural elements of western Sichuan, such as red walls, bamboo shadows, ancient bridges and opera stages.

It also showcases the charm of Michelin and international cuisine in restaurants including Goose Island and Coucou, the first French roast chicken restaurant in Chengdu. Moreover, visitors can seamlessly connect with global trends through more than 50 designer brands, including popular concept stores such as Soulforoom and Boom Market.

Nighttime economy

As night falls, Tiexiangsi Riverfront becomes vibrant and colorful. Groups of young people gather at the first store of Goose Island in Southwest China, ordering a glass of craft beer and enjoying the evening atmosphere.

Not far away is another iconic scene. People are watching performances of traditional Chinese music and dances. Since its opening, the street has hosted hundreds of cultural performances showcasing traditional Chinese culture, including concerts featuring guzheng (the Chinese plucked zither) and pipa (a four-stringed lute).

The street at night is bustling with various activities, such as night food markets, night tours and night exhibitions, allowing visitors to experience culture, life and the city.

The prosperity of the nighttime economy has become an important indicator of urban economic activity.

One of the reasons behind the success of the street is its around-the-clock consumption model that combines the nighttime economy and first-store economy, which stimulates new business opportunities and becomes the engine driving the economic development.

According to the 2022 Chengdu First Brand Entry Research report, Chengdu maintained its position as the third city in terms of the first-store economy last year.

In Tiexiangsi Riverfront, the proportion of first stores reaches an impressive 60 percent.

Data from online service platforms Meituan and Dianping show that since July, the number of life service consumption orders around the street has doubled compared to the same period of last year, the number of active merchants has increased by nearly 60 percent, and dine-in orders have increased by 120 percent.

This has greatly contributed to the rapid development of the Chengdu Jiaozi Park commercial district in terms of life service consumption.

International community

Tiexiangsi Riverfront is not only becoming a national AAA-level tourist attraction but also a daily leisure gathering place for local residents, and together with the community, exploring a new model of interactive experiences.

The second phase of the block is one of the key projects among the first batch of 25 future park communities under construction in Chengdu.

A representative from the Shenghua community in the Chengdu high-tech zone's Shiyang subdistrict said: "As one of the first international communities in Chengdu, Shenghua has joined hands with Tiexiangsi Riverfront to build a network and carry out a series of all-age friendly, close-to-nature and international fashion-themed activities, such as music festivals, carnivals and happiness tours, enhancing the uniqueness of the community with warmth." From traditional attractions to innovative integration with the local community, Tiexiangsi Riverfront has become the urban unit that is most closely connected with the lives of residents. It has become the carrier of the slow-paced lifestyle that they long for.