Suzhou city market fuels trade and holiday fever

Shishan Culture Square, a landmark in Suzhou New District in East China's Jiangsu province, is abuzz with crowds as it hosts a goods market in celebration of the upcoming Chinese New Year on Wednesday.

The market kicked off on Jan 18 and runs for nine days. Rooted in Spring Festival customs and cultural traditions, the event features an array of popular Chinese New Year's products from across the nation, offering people an immersive shopping experience.

Official statistics showed that the market attracted more than 30,000 visits on its opening day, generating nearly 1 million yuan ($137,220) in revenue.

Since its inception during 2024's Dragon Boat Festival holiday — a three-day break in early June — the Shishan goods market has been held for more than 30 days in total.

It has attracted more than 1.2 million visits, with the inaugural session alone drawing 250,000 visits.

As a key cultural and tourism project in Jiangsu, Shishan Culture Square leverages its distinctive natural beauty, historical significance and other resources to enhance the image of Suzhou city.

In recent years, Suzhou New District, recognized as one of the first national high-tech zones and renowned for its scenic beauty and profound culture, has advanced urban renewal projects and enhanced the city's aesthetic appeal.

Moreover, the high-tech zone has cultivated cultural and tourism hot spot areas that blend tradition with modernity, creating a district that instills residents with a sense of fulfillment and happiness.

In terms of promoting consumption, the high-tech zone has delved deep into local cultural attributes;interconnected surrounding commercial, sports and tourism resources; and integrated trendy, technological and innovative consumption scenarios to invigorate the commercial ecosystem.

The zone emphasizes the scientific management of various business formats, organizing a balance of the cultural tourism industry, commercial services, and amenities such as dining, accommodation, transportation, leisure and entertainment.

As the earliest and most open area within the high-tech zone, the Shishan business innovation area stands as a hub of consumption excellence. It boasts nine shopping malls, each covering an area of over 10,000 square meters, along with four large-scale supermarkets, six commercial streets and more than 10 mid- to high-end hotels.

"Only through integrating Suzhou New District's high-quality industries and services can we entice consumers to partake in immersive experiences, drive rapid consumption growth and foster enduring psychological connections," said an official from the zone's business bureau.

Local residents serve as the true "spokespersons" of urban progress. Their engagement and support are essential for instilling Suzhou New District with increased confidence and vitality, the official added.