Coinciding with the 2016 Year of China-U.S. Tourism, Discovery Communications has launched its first branded “outdoors” theme park in China. The Discovery Adventures Moganshan Park, developed in partnership with APAX Group, brings challenging recreation to Mogan Mountain in Deqing, Zhejiang Province, only 13 minutes by high-speed train from scenic Hangzhou.
The international extreme adventure park joins Shanghai Disneyland, which opened about 2.5 hours away (1.5 hours by high speed train) to great fanfare in June, as part of the Chinese government’s commitment to a 20% increase in tourism investments for 2016.
“This project is a new destination concept to bring people closer to nature,” says Terence Chu, Chairman of Discovery Adventures Moganshan Park, “combining travel, eco-tourism and outdoor sports.”
Discovery Adventures Joins Tourist Attractions in Deqing
The contemporary industrial county of Deqing was selected for the park because of its legendary Mogan Mountain, verdant foothills, picturesque Xiazhu Lake and the surrounding wetlands which nurture wildlife rarely seen in China’s big cites.
With a combination of traditional stone villages and hill station hideaways attracting visitors since the 1920s, Moganshan today supports 200 vacation villas and wellness retreats. The area welcomed 15 million visitors last year according to Ms. Hong Yan Yan, Deputy Mayor of the People’s Government, and may be on its way to becoming The Hamptons of the Shanghai metroplex.
Professional Coaches & Trainers Work with Visitors
At the launch press conference, officials spoke about the professional coaches, international safety standards, and top quality outdoor facilities including zip lines, a ropes course, off road driving tracks, hot air balloon, mountain biking trails, a speed challenge, obstacle course and other team building exercises.
According to Mr. Chu, who says he personally favors rock climbing on China’s largest outdoor climbing wall, corporate groups think of their Discovery Adventures sessions as outdoor survival training.
The eco-friendly, 1 million square-meter recreation zone also welcomes locals and individual walk-ins ages 10+ (reservations recommended by calling +86.400.900.5177.)
Discovery Channel Brings Reality TV Adventures to Reality
There’s a small café, plenty of fresh air, tranquility and, most importantly, opportunities for a personal challenge or competition among friends. That’s why the Discovery Adventures Park concept fits in well with Discovery Communications’ goal to establish more LBEs (Location Based Entertainment) in their global expansion.
The Discovery Channel is one of Asia’s most popular brands, adding to the appeal of Discovery Adventures Moganshan Park for corporate and incentive groups.
Mr. Chu explained that several more Discovery Adventures were planned for other parts of China, including a park in Beijing that would be oriented to families, with facilities and recreational equipment for younger children.
We can’t wait to have more places to chase sharks, conquer the glaciers, wrestle bears and experience more of Discovery’s reality TV adventures.
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