Dayong Ancient City Reopens with 180 Million Yuan Investment, Draws Nearly One Million Visitors

After one month of reopening, Dayong Ancient City received nearly one million visits, with scenic area revenue reaching RMB 10 million. Located in Zhangjiajie city, the ancient city reopened on July 10, 2026. In the first two days, about 50,000 people entered, and subsequent daily visitor flow stabilized at around 30,000. As of August 13, cumulative visits approached one million. The first-floor shop occupancy rate reached 100%, while the second floor ranged from 85% to 95%, with own brands accounting for about 60%.

In past years, Dayong Ancient City drew attention for being idle for a long time despite an investment of over RMB 2 billion. In October 2024, Zhangjiajie initiated restructuring proceedings; in December 2025, the restructuring plan was approved by the court, and a joint venture was established with Dianguang Media and Mango Excellent Media to handle the quality improvement and actual operation of the project, with total investment controlled within RMB 180 million. The renovation adopted a light-asset model, retaining the original buildings, adjusting the content of the flight theater, and changing the theater to a free-flow viewing mode. The performance 'Dayong Fantasy' is scheduled to launch in October, with a capacity of about 2,000 per show.

Visitor flow data shows that Monday to Thursday daily average is 30,000, while Friday to Sunday ranges from 35,000 to 40,000, with night visitors accounting for about 80%. Dayong Ancient City has become a popular night-tour destination, with a full range of businesses including dining, shopping, performances, and entertainment.