Wanda to build theme plaza in China's revolutionary base

Chinese commercial conglomerate Wanda Group plans to build a theme plaza in Yan'an, a former revolutionary base and now a "red tourism" destination in northwestern Shaanxi Province, the company said Thursday.

With a total investment of 12 billion yuan (about 1.8 billion U.S. dollars), the plaza will cover 128 hectares, featuring revolutionary-themed tourism and entertainment experiences.

Yan'an hosts the then headquarters of the Communist Party of China and the center of the Communist revolution from 1935 to 1948. The city is now home to more than 350 sites related to the Chinese revolution of the 1930s.

The project will follow the architectural style of the revolutionary period. Besides pedestrian zones that integrate history-telling, featured local food and intangible cultural heritage, advanced technology will be introduced to revivify battles and get tourists involved.

The plaza is expected to receive 10 million visitors every year and create over 10,000 jobs after scheduled opening in June 2021.