The last few decades have been for China, a growing period. Infrastructure and urban development have paved the way for an enormous build-up of potential tourist locations and activities to follow. In anticipation of this, the government has defined several regions as ‘Tourism Formation Zones’, one of which is to be located in the Jilin province, in the areas surrounding the majestic Changbai Volcano. It is here that GRAFT architects have been asked to design and plan the ‘Changbai Mountain Slopes’- a project comprising over 6,000,000 m² at three locations, which will be built in phases from 2013-2018.
The valley of Manjiang will become home to an amusement park, exhibition space, show theatre, thermal spas fed by natural hot springs, a resort village with boutiques, restaurants and cafes, as well as 3000 guest rooms in both hotels and mansions.
In Hengsahn, a larger village with numerous resort hotels focusing primarily on “preventive medicine” and “cultural lifestyle” are planned to be set amongst the regions rolling hills.
A vast ski area will be located in Wangtiane and is set to become the largest ski region in Asia. Three ski jumps are to be built here and will become the future emblem of the region. Two will be sized to olympic standards, with the third designed as over-sized for extremely long jumps. The complex which will contain these fixtures will be multi-functional with restaurants and hotels, as well as VIP lounges and accommodations.
Courtesy of GRAFT