Singapore-listed Sim Leisure Group has recently chosen Guangzhou's Huangpu district for its first venture into the Chinese market, signing an agreement to build a 400-million-yuan integrated leisure and tourism project.

The development, named "ESCAPE," will be a multi-attraction destination featuring a water park, adventure zones, jungle challenges, aerial ropeways, and water slides. It is expected to draw an estimated one million visitors annually upon opening.

The investment signals strong foreign confidence in Huangpu's tourism potential and marks the district's entry into the large-scale, immersive theme park sector. Sim Leisure Group, headquartered in Malaysia, is known for its involvement in landmark projects globally, including sections of Dubai Parks and Resorts, Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi, and the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure in Singapore.

The deal coincides with a robust start to the year for Huangpu's tourism market. During the recent Spring Festival holiday, the district reported a significant surge in tourism revenue. Data from 24 monitored sites, including A-rated scenic spots, parks, and rural tourism destinations, showed total tourism income reached nearly 5.14 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of over 72%. Visitor numbers at these sites exceeded 520,000, a rise of approximately 7.7%.

Local authorities view the "ESCAPE" project as a catalyst for upgrading the area's tourism offerings. It is expected to bring advanced operational expertise, attract international visitors, and stimulate growth in surrounding sectors such as dining, accommodation, and retail. The project is also expected to foster a cluster of related businesses, promoting the integrated development of culture, commerce, tourism, and sports.

The district's broader cultural and creative industry is on an upward trajectory. In 2025, Huangpu added 1,429 new market entities in culture, sports, and entertainment, a nearly 30% year-on-year increase. Revenue from large-scale cultural and related industrial enterprises surpassed 90.7 billion yuan.

Photo | Nanfang Plus