Too Intense! These Newly Launched Projects Have Twisted ‘Experience’ into a Tangled Mess!

New Wave of Shopping Center Openings Across China.Recently, China has entered a new phase of shopping center openings. According to incomplete statistics, over 60 commercial projects nationwide are scheduled to launch around the 2025 National Day holiday. The China Shopping Center Association (CSCA) has observed that the shopping center market is showing robust growth, with the scale of the market continuing to expand, and a rich diversity of offerings emerging. Increasingly, shopping centers are no longer confined to traditional retail functions. Instead, they are redefining consumer spaces by incorporating theme-based positioning, immersive experiences, and business model integration. They focus not only on flagship stores, cultural empowerment, and social engagement, but also target segmented markets such as Generation Z, families, and local residents, showcasing differentiated competitive strategies. This reflects the business logic of “experience is king.”Guangzhou Hanxi K11 Art Mall.On September 29, the Guangzhou Hanxi K11 Art Mall, located in the heart of the Chime Long Wanbo commercial district, officially began its trial operations. Developed jointly by New World China and Guangzhou Metro Real Estate, this new landmark is part of the TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) complex Yao Sheng New World Plaza.

The commercial space spans 81,000 square meters and is branded as “Future Life+”—a lifestyle destination combining local culture and modern commerce, specifically tailored for young families. The space emphasizes a blend of trendiness and relaxation, urban life and nature, offering a cultural commercial space.The mall introduces a first-of-its-kind HERITAGE by K11 Lingnan Cultural Zone, innovatively incorporating Lingnan cultural elements into the commercial design. In terms of retail offerings, Hanxi K11 features several first stores, including “Guey Tong Ji,” a Hong Kong-style roasted goose and tea café, which opens its first location in mainland China, along with restaurants like Sushi Qing Lan and Bamboo Sushi Take, which make their Guangzhou debut. Designer brand stores like Planetary System, LC-CMCH, and Open Dialogue are also new to the market, alongside the first GAP store in Panyu.Wuxi Liangxi Aegean Shopping Center.On October 1, the Wuxi Liangxi Aegean Shopping Center opened with great fanfare. Achieving a 99% leasing rate and a 97% opening rate, the mall’s opening day saw over 150,000 visitors, securing the highest traffic in Wuxi’s commercial centers. By the end of its opening period, the mall had welcomed more than 600,000 visitors, with sales surpassing 25 million RMB. The center brings more than 130 quality brands, including 30+ flagship stores and 40+ regional first stores, covering a diverse range of shopping, dining, and leisure activities.

The garden-style commercial layout features unique areas such as the “Light Garden,” “Sky Farm,” and “Flower Town,” specifically designed to cater to family visitors and young consumers’ desire for leisurely strolls and relaxation. In addition, the “Xintang Food Collection,” which highlights local culture, offers a sense of community for Wuxi residents, adding to the mall’s relaxed atmosphere. The nationwide first exhibition of “Pink Piggy Hero” also attracted crowds with its playful character design, creating buzz across all age groups.Fangshan Rui Lai Plaza.On September 28, the Rui Lai Plaza in Fangshan, Beijing, officially opened, marking a new era for the commercial development of the southwestern part of the city. Known for its architectural innovation, the mall integrates traditional Jiangnan courtyard-style architecture into a Beijing commercial project, creating an open-air courtyard at its core surrounded by hotels, shops, and office buildings. This design combines the elegance of southern China with the grand, open feel of northern architecture, offering consumers an immersive shopping and leisure experience where traditional and modern styles collide.The mall’s operation mode introduces a novel “culture, commerce, tourism, and sports” experience. Unlike the traditional commercial focus on sales, Rui Lai Plaza combines emotional connection and consumption, positioning itself as a “dual aggregation space” for moods and shopping.

With a focus on “first store economy,” the center features innovative retail concepts, such as the first discount retail store “Hui Pin Cang” and a 4,500-square-meter creative market, revitalizing the commercial landscape of Fangshan.Beijing Shougang Park Rongshi Plaza (R+ Lifestyle Center).On October 1, the Rongshi Plaza (R+ Lifestyle Center) in Shougang Park opened for trial operations, featuring over ten first stores, including the country’s first robot retailer “Tao Zhu New Manufacturing Bureau” and the largest De Nan Bakery flagship store in Beijing. The space occupies 28,000 square meters and is part of the city’s urban renewal initiative, transforming an industrial site from 1958 into a new youth-oriented commercial complex. With several innovative stores and creative concepts, including pop-up markets and art exhibitions, Rongshi Plaza enhances Beijing’s Western district’s youthful vibe with a blend of industrial aesthetics and future-forward retail experiences.Shenzhen Bay MixC Phase II.On September 30, the second phase of Shenzhen Bay MixC officially opened, introducing nearly 300 new brands, with over 120 of them making their debut in the area. This addition expands the mall’s total commercial area to nearly 250,000 square meters, creating a super shopping district that integrates commerce and culture.

The second phase features new luxury brands, cutting-edge fashion, and tech products, as well as a large cultural space that includes a museum, immersive theater, and digital art center.The “BAY TO LIVE” concept has been launched, emphasizing luxury, exploration, and art, creating a high-end lifestyle ecosystem that connects global and local influences. With an expansive range of offerings, the mall aims to redefine the city’s retail and cultural landscape while introducing experiences such as exclusive pop-up events, immersive art exhibitions, and interactive activities.Hangzhou Fuyang Qinwang Shui Street.On September 30, Hangzhou Fuyang’s first-phase commercial project, the Qinwang Shui Street, officially opened. Developed by China Jinmao in collaboration with Hangzhou Fuyang City Construction Group, this 43,000-square-meter shopping street integrates water-based aesthetics, first stores, and cultural IPs. The complex is designed to blend shopping, dining, entertainment, and art seamlessly, forming a true “waterfront lifestyle” destination for the local community.With its new Chinese-style architecture and themed scenic spots such as the “Listening to the River from the Railing” and the “Wuyue Opera Stage,” the street brings to life the beauty of Hangzhou’s water towns, offering a dynamic environment that evolves from day to night.

With 40+ first stores, including flagship stores, the mall introduces a wide range of unique experiences, including music performances, street art, and local food culture.Emerging Commercial Developments in China: A New Era of Lifestyle Spaces.Within a 3-kilometer radius, the population is dense, particularly among young people and families. In the face of social detachment and the homogenization of weekend leisure activities, these communities crave a space that serves as an interactive “community living room”—a warm and sparkling “local haven.” Ningbo Camel Impression Mall offers the first-ever children’s rooftop garden in Zhenhai, a sky basketball court for active fun, a cozy “Leisure Market” for casual dining, and an interactive space surrounded by lush greenery. During its grand opening, the project hosted the first-ever exhibition of “Hongshan Forest Friends” in Ningbo. It featured five interactive check-in points and four fun activities, inviting consumers to engage with two popular stars from Hongshan Zoo, Dudu and Yaya, in a forest-themed party.Additionally, the “Forest Friends Garden Party” allowed guests to win limited-edition merchandise from Hongshan Zoo, while spectacular performances like “Flowing Light and Shadow” aerial fire dancing, “Swinging Forest Friends” spontaneous dance parties, a “Bubble Show,” magic performances, and a youth dance battle kept visitors entertained.

Future plans for Ningbo Camel Impression Mall aim to provide not just a one-stop shopping, dining, and entertainment experience but also to transform into a “neighborhood social lounge” that brings warmth and countless small surprises to the daily life of Zhenhai.Longfor Chongqing Jiang’an Tianjie.On September 30, Longfor Chongqing Jiang’an Tianjie opened its doors to great fanfare. Positioned as a “Quality Lifestyle Landmark in Southern Chongqing,” this new flagship project aims to establish a new consumer hub south of the Yangtze River, offering citizens a wider variety of high-quality lifestyle choices. Spanning an impressive 157,000 square meters, the mall brings together over 300 brands and is one of Longfor’s premier commercial projects in Chongqing.With its focus on “quality” and “diversity,” the mall’s design carefully curates a seamless space that balances retail, experiential zones, and a variety of business models. The complex follows the TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) model, benefitting from the nearby South-Ping commercial district’s transportation advantages. With access to three metro lines and 15 planned bus routes, it will become a central transportation hub for the area. The mall also offers nearly 1,500 parking spaces, enhancing convenience for local residents and visitors. Unlike traditional “box-style” malls, Longfor Chongqing Jiang’an Tianjie introduces immersive experiences, such as its “floating island” atrium.

where each island is tailored to a specific brand, providing visitors with an engaging, multi-sensory shopping environment.Sanya Bay No.1.On October 1, Sanya Bay No.1 officially opened, attracting more than 100,000 visitors on its opening day and injecting fresh energy into Sanya’s Golden Week tourism and retail scene. The project spans approximately 168,000 square meters, with 120,000 square meters dedicated to commercial space. This multifunctional commercial complex is the only newly opened seaside development in Sanya this year.Designed by two international top design firms, BENOY and GENSLER, Sanya Bay No.1 blends Sanya’s boating culture with stunning visual effects like 3D stereoscopic screens and a 360° observation deck. The development focuses on natural ecology, pet-friendly spaces, and active lifestyles, featuring thematic areas like Rhythm Park, a pet-friendly camp, a skateboard park, cycling lanes, and a pet playground, alongside green landscape zones. This combination of functions creates a “forest oxygen bar” in the heart of the city, harmonizing sports and leisure.The complex is set to appeal to four key consumer groups: new-age travelers, high-quality families, Generation Z youth, and seasonal residents. It will feature 158 exciting brands, including 25 first-time Hainan locations and 23 first-time Sanya brands, with a focus on local culture and nightlife to cater to diverse tastes.Shaoxing Binhai Wanda Plaza.On October 1, Shaoxing Binhai Wanda Plaza opened its doors with a dual layout of a shopping center and an open-air street district.

It has introduced over 70 regional first-time brands, positioning itself as a new commercial benchmark for Ma’anshan Street’s urban-industrial fusion development. The project spans 65,100 square meters and includes flagship brands like Happiness Blue Sea Cinema, Whim Supermarket, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Green Tea, and more, offering a full range of dining and retail options.The plaza is located near Blue Print Fashion Town and various industrial enterprises, strategically catering to the surrounding workers by offering “ideal life stations” through a variety of entertainment options such as folk music BBQ taverns, trendy KTV, billiards, and cinemas. The goal is to provide a “home-like” atmosphere that encourages quality leisure for workers after hours.Beijing Shangde Yintai City.On September 30, Beijing Shangde Yintai City opened its doors, featuring 56,000 square meters of commercial space and over 100 brands. Among them are six first-time Beijing stores, ten first-time Daxing stores, and multiple retail segments focusing on “sports, food, and pets.” The project’s strategy includes fashion-forward, easy-living experiences for families and foodies alike. Signature brands like Snow Peak, D&T, and Patton Captain are joined by dining options such as Haidilao, Green Tea, and Yunhe Li, offering a cross-regional culinary journey. The space incorporates a “garden-style social shopping experience,” integrating outdoor gardens, open-air plazas, and thematic dining streets into one immersive venue.Longfor Yantai Longkou Tianjie.

On September 30, Longfor Yantai Longkou Tianjie opened as the first Tianjie in the Yantai-Weifang area, redefining modern urban living. With a total area of 149,000 square meters and over 1,800 parking spaces, it serves as the “Fashion Lifestyle Center” for the region. The mall features over 200 brands, with 60% being first-time store openings. Notable anchor stores include Hema Fresh and Bona Cinemas, offering a one-stop shopping, entertainment, and dining experience for families. The space is designed to cater to multiple consumer needs and serve as a vibrant community hub.Hangzhou Jindi T-ONE MO.On September 30, Hangzhou Jindi T-ONE MO opened, marking a milestone for the Jindi United Holdings Group’s commercial expansion. The complex spans 77,000 square meters, situated in the heart of Hangzhou’s Qianjiang Century City, with easy access to Metro Line 7. The project integrates a high-end shopping mall, luxury apartments, a five-star hotel, and office spaces. The area is home to over 130 brands, including flagship stores, lifestyle brands, and local eateries. It offers diverse dining, retail, and leisure experiences for Hangzhou’s affluent consumer base.Jinan Ginza New Chen Tian Di.On September 30, Jinan Ginza New Chen Tian Di opened with a spectacular launch. The project’s 180,000 square meters include 300+ premium brands, and it has rapidly become a hub for young consumers. With a distinctive “terraced” design and open shopping street, the project mixes shopping with relaxation in a “Chill Energy Space.” Featuring a combination of food, entertainment, and lifestyle brands, including Hema Fresh, Sifang Bookstore, and major dining chains, it offers a complete experience for visitors.