The signing ceremony for the second phase of the Taicang Alps Resort project took place at Club Med Urban Oasis Taicang Resort on June 18th. This ambitious project, envisioned as a comprehensive urban resort with an ice and snow theme, is the brainchild of Fosun Tourism Group (also known as Fosun Holiday, stock code: 01992.HK). With an investment exceeding 5 billion yuan, the Phase II development will be jointly funded by the Taicang Municipal Government and managed by Fosun Tourism Group.
The ceremony marking the official launch of Phase II was graced by several prominent figures, including Wang Xiangyuan, Secretary of the Taicang Municipal Committee; Xu Huadong, Vice Secretary of the Committee and Mayor; Wang Hongxing, Chairman of the Taicang People’s Congress Standing Committee; Zhao Jianchu, Chairman of the Taicang CPPCC; Guo Guangchang, Chairman of Fosun International; Xu Xiaoliang, Co-CEO of Fosun International and Chairman of Fosun Tourism Group; Zhu Wenkui, Vice President of Fosun International and Secretary of the Fosun Party Committee; Cao Minglong, President and COO of Fosun Tourism Group; and Bao Jiangjun, Co-President of Fosun Tourism Group and CEO of Taicang Alps Resort.
Vice Secretary of Taicang Municipal Committee and Mayor, Xu Huadong, highlighted the strong partnership between Taicang and Fosun International in developing the largest indoor ski resort in East China. He praised the success of Phase I, which has rapidly established itself as a leading ice and snow tourism destination in the Yangtze River Delta, garnering recognition on CCTV and attracting a significant influx of visitors. Recognizing the emerging nature of ice and snow tourism, both parties are now focused on the strategic expansion of Phase II, aiming to solidify Taicang’s leadership in the Yangtze River Delta’s ice and snow market and solidify its reputation as a premier ‘ice and snow world’ destination in the southern region.
The Taicang Alps Resort Phase II project, managed by Fosun Tourism Group and funded by the Taicang Municipal Government, has officially commenced construction. Aiming to become the world’s leading one-stop snow-themed resort destination, this phase aspires to break world records with the longest indoor ski slope and the most extensive array of entertainment facilities.
Spanning approximately 190,000 square meters, the Taicang Alps Resort Phase II project could become the world’s largest indoor ski resort. Its design, inspired by “Xiangyun Ruyi” (Auspicious Clouds), mirrors the “Snow Ruyi” theme of the Zhangjiakou outdoor ski resorts from the Beijing Winter Olympics, marking a new era for China’s ski industry. The resort will boast a variety of slopes—including a snowboard slope, an intermediate slope, and an advanced slope—catering to skiers of all skill levels with a combined slope length of 1,700 meters. This includes a challenging 690-meter slope with a 120-meter vertical drop.
Enhancing the visitor experience, Phase II will introduce snow-view and themed hotels with a range of immersive themed rooms. The resort’s extensive facilities will include a water park, land park, hot springs, an aquarium, and dining shows, complemented by activities such as dome walking, bungee jumping, and interactive light shows, offering a comprehensive one-stop ski experience.
Responding to national initiatives promoting the ice-snow economy and winter sports, such as the “Several Measures to Stimulate Tourism Consumption Potential and Promote High-Quality Development of the Tourism Industry” released in September 2023 by the State Council, China has witnessed significant growth in its winter sports sector. This sector is evolving from simple ticket sales to a diverse consumption model that integrates sports, tourism, and entertainment. The Taicang Alps Resort is at the forefront of this transformation, aiming to attract 300 million participants in ice and snow activities and redefine vacation models through innovative and engaging experiences across its phases. Since the opening of Phase I, the resort has attracted approximately 320,000 visitors, and with the launch of Phase II, it is poised to become a leading global destination for indoor ice-snow vacations and entertainment, solidifying Taicang’s reputation as a world-class hub for the ice-snow industry.
The commencement of Phase II signifies a pivotal moment for Fosun Tourism Group in advancing its asset-light strategy. Fosun, a pioneer in international expansion among Chinese firms, continues to leverage its global experience and professional teams to enhance its offerings in the ice and snow sector, encompassing both indoor and outdoor experiences through venues like Alps Snow Live and three Club Med outdoor ski resorts in China—Yabuli, Beidahu, and Changbaishan. With 25 Club Med outdoor ski resorts worldwide, the brand is a leader in winter tourism, operating in prime locations including the Alps, Hokkaido, and Quebec. This shift underscores Fosun’s commitment to an asset-light model focusing on enriching product, brand, service, and customer experience, further evidenced by the tourism operation revenue dominating its financial profile in fiscal year 2023.
Xu Xiaoliang, Co-CEO of Fosun International and Chairman of the Board of Fosun Tourism Group, stated, “As a key snow-themed one-stop high-end urban resort destination created by Fosun Tourism Group, Taicang Alps Resort has quickly become a popular destination for families and young people in the Yangtze River Delta region since its opening in November 2023. The signing of the Phase II project not only demonstrates our leadership in the ice-snow industry but also represents a significant milestone in Fosun Tourism Group’s light asset operation strategy. In the future, Fosun Tourism Group will continue to leverage its global resources and industry operation capabilities in the ice-snow industry, bringing more engaging and diversified ice-snow vacation experiences to tourists nationwide while promoting the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Delta’s cultural and tourism industry.
