We Found Out Why Chengdu Locals Never Get Tired of ‘Tianjie’ After Ten Years

The Biggest Joy for Chengdu Locals: Shopping.For Chengdu locals, there’s no greater joy than shopping. The real-time experience and immediacy of shopping are irreplaceable. One of the favorite destinations for Chengdu residents is “Tianjie,” a shopping district that, after over a decade of cultivation by Longfor Commercial, has evolved into a symbol of local lifestyle. Tianjie continuously brings fresh experiences to the people of Chengdu, making it an ingrained part of their daily lives. This transformation can be seen in the North Chengdu Tianjie, Longfor’s first Tianjie in the northern part of the city. Recently, the results from the 10th anniversary celebrations of North Chengdu Tianjie serve as a perfect example. On December 30th, North Chengdu Tianjie’s 10th Anniversary “Mega Carnival” became the center of attention in the city. The event achieved total sales of over 13.5 million yuan, a 147% increase from the previous year. The total foot traffic for the day was 128,000, setting a new record for the year. Among them, brands such as YANLI, Marmot Club, and Dole Island Sports Entertainment saw sales ranked first nationwide, while UR, Aiwang Carnival, and others ranked first in the Southwest region. Over 40 other brands topped sales charts in Sichuan and Chengdu.Why Does Tianjie Always Ignite Chengdu Locals’ Passion for Shopping?Using the 10th anniversary of North Chengdu Tianjie as a chance, we spoke with Chengdu locals to understand the bond between Tianjie and its customers.

10 Years of North Chengdu Tianjie: A Perfect Fit for Chengdu LocalsAs Chengdu native Deng Rui (pseudonym) recalls, “We used to live outside the Third Ring Road, and it would take quite a bit of time to get into the city. When we heard that North Chengdu Tianjie was opening, we moved here. It’s been 10 years now, and shopping at Tianjie has become a must-do in our family.” Deng Rui’s family decided to buy a home at Longfor’s North Chengdu Tianjie after a family vote in 2013. Over the past decade, Deng Rui has seen the bustling crowd coming and going from the mall. She has witnessed its growth from day one. On December 19, 2013, the North Chengdu Tianjie officially opened, becoming a popular hangout in the northern part of the city. On opening day, 200,000 people swarmed the mall, attracted by events like the International Clown Carnival and “Dream Horse” Year-End Decorations. The fashionable lifestyle brought by North Chengdu Tianjie made it unnecessary for locals to travel to Chunxi Road or Yanshikou for shopping. Deng Rui herself has also formed a deep connection with the mall. She now visits often with her family. From buying groceries at Yonghui Supermarket, watching the latest movies at Lumiere IMAX, or enjoying a coffee at Starbucks with friends, it has become a go-to spot for various needs.”Now, we rarely go to the city center. North Chengdu Tianjie meets all of our needs. It’s close to home and offers so much fun. It’s double the joy!” Deng Rui concludes.The “Ba Shi” Lifestyle of Chengdu Locals.

Chengdu locals have a simple yet profound definition of happiness: the satisfaction of a hot pot meal, the joy of checking in at a popular spot, and the comfort of a quiet tea break. From the perspective of customers, we can clearly feel the deep emotional connection between locals and North Chengdu Tianjie. The mall’s fashionable vibes and heartwarming service have redefined the lifestyle in the northern part of Chengdu. It allows locals to enjoy the pleasures of modern fashion right in their own neighborhood.How North Chengdu Tianjie Has Reinforced Its Position Over 10 Years.In the past decade, North Chengdu Tianjie has continuously solidified its role as the commercial flagship in the northern part of the city. The key lies in its forward-looking approach and strategic upgrades. Over recent years, urban renewal, regional evolution, and commercial district upgrades have become the main trends in cities’ development. North Chengdu Tianjie has capitalized on regional advantages and developed a visionary strategy.In October 2021, Chengdu implemented the “Chengdu Rongbei Commercial Circle Management Provisional Measures,” which mapped out the city’s future commercial development. The plan calls for a new “core-axis-ring-four quadrants” structure, with Chengdu Station at the center, and integrates key areas like Renmin North Road, Central Park, Hehua Pool, Wukuishi, and Shuangshuiniang.

This new spatial layout is expected to create a new business hub for the city.In the same month, the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the State Council also released the “Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle Development Plan,” which sets the framework for building a new dual-city economic zone between Chengdu and Chongqing. The synergistic policies will make the Rongbei Commercial Circle a key traffic and business hub in this emerging economic zone. With the opening of Rongbei Commercial Avenue and the Metro Line 5 Wukuishi Station, the region’s transportation capabilities have greatly improved, making it essential to meet consumer demand with more sophisticated commercial projects.North Chengdu Tianjie has been strategically designed to meet these demands.Strategic Brand Upgrades to Lead Consumer TrendsAs the backbone of commercial development, brands play a vital role. Popularity boosts North Chengdu Tianjie’s ability to adjust its brand mix, and by continually optimizing its offerings, it can keep bringing new experiences to consumers. Since its opening, North Chengdu Tianjie has introduced several major brands, including Yonghui Supermarket, Lumiere IMAX, Aiwang Carnival, and Lebao Kingdom. From daily necessities to family gatherings, and from trendy fashion to holiday leisure, everything is available.

New emerging brands like Kaijiang, Jibulu, and TEMPO have used North Chengdu Tianjie as their launching pad, growing rapidly and expanding nationwide.Over the past 10 years, North Chengdu Tianjie has introduced renowned retail brands such as NIKE KICKS LOUNGE, UR, UNIQLO, and MUJI, further strengthening its fashion-forward identity.As the commercial landscape in Chengdu gradually becomes saturated, North Chengdu Tianjie, celebrating its 10th anniversary, has once again proactively moved forward by upgrading its South Mall and breaking the traditional shopping center model. It introduced the concept of “Life as an Amusement Park” into the commercial space. In September 2023, the South Mall of North Chengdu Tianjie reopened, bringing a range of new and exciting stores, including the first Southwest store of the immersive family-friendly park Marmot Club, the national first store of Beijing’s innovative education base, the GreenTree Esports luxury flagship store, and the first Sichuan store of Tinghui. These new additions have transformed the mall into a vibrant gathering center for the northern part of the city.Rooted in Northern Chengdu for 10 years, North Chengdu Tianjie continues to break the boundaries of space and expand its business mix. It has innovatively crafted new experiences and injected fresh energy into the city’s development. The mall’s continuous self-updating has also contributed to the creation of Chengdu’s Rongbei business district, aiming to build the largest commercial hub in the Chengdu-Chongqing region.

Creating a Better Life for Consumers and Leading Cultural TrendsNorth Chengdu Tianjie has become a center that leads consumer culture trends, offering a “cross-generational amusement park,” a “gathering place for families,” and a “vibrant hub for cutting-edge culture.” These are the visions for the next 10 years as North Chengdu Tianjie celebrates its decade-long legacy.Strengthening the Trendy Cultural Label with First Exhibitions and Showcases.Since its opening, North Chengdu Tianjie has hosted over 80 popular IP exhibitions, covering diverse themes such as food, pet-friendly spaces, local culture, anime, and scientific exhibitions. Examples include the Daliangshan Yi Ethnic Minority Heritage Exhibition, the China Space Science Interactive Exhibition, and Tencent Animation’s Summer Anime Season. In the summer of 2023 alone, the mall hosted several big-ticket events, such as the first nationwide exhibition of the Arctic Ocean’s Amazing CP, the Chengdu debut of the Mysterious Animal Tribe, and the Super Wings Movie Theme Month, providing a “mini vacation” destination for visitors of all ages.Additionally, leveraging the 2023 Chengdu Universiade, North Chengdu Tianjie hosted various sports events, including the Chengdu Youth Jump Rope Championship, the first stop of Gatorade’s G Challenge, and the Master Kong Skateboard Carnival’s Sichuan finals. These events allowed participants and audiences alike to release their dopamine in the vibrant atmosphere of North Chengdu Tianjie.Building a Cultural Atmosphere to Enrich Consumers’ Lives.

During its 10th Anniversary celebration, North Chengdu Tianjie brought even more joy to its visitors with performances by popular music artists like Zheng Xiangdong, a B-box show, an eSports competition featuring S8 World Champion TheShy, and a colorful showcase of street dance and the Chengdu Eva Animation Carnival. These events brought joy to the community and amplified it 10 times over.The mall invests heavily in enhancing its cultural and spiritual atmosphere because it not only brings freshness and sensory enjoyment to consumers but also enriches their lives, strengthening emotional bonds and fostering a sense of belonging.The Next 10 Years: Continually Bringing Fresh Amusement Concepts.10 years is enough time for a commercial entity to rise and become a landmark. Over the past decade, North Chengdu Tianjie has deepened its roots in northern Chengdu, evolving from a shopping center into a lively amusement park. It has introduced more diverse lifestyles to the local community. Looking forward, the mall will continue to focus on developing the “amusement park of life,” offering locals even more fun, comfort, and enjoyable experiences.Future Plans for 2024 and Beyond.In the first quarter of 2024, several exciting brands will be opening, including the Green Rabbit City Zoo, KooKoo Digital Wonderland, Dayuan River, and NIKE. These new additions will further enhance the mall’s atmosphere of amusement and lifestyle. With a core focus on family, fashion, and social experiences, North Chengdu Tianjie will continue to refresh its entertainment, retail, and other supporting facilities to create a new look for the mall’s next 10 years.