Wanda's grand cultural plans in Wuhan

A design sketch of the Han Show Theater. Its exterior was inspired by the red Chinese lantern. Provided to China Daily

China's real estate conglomerate Wanda Group is making its mark on the domestic cultural industry, after its successful purchase of the US theater chain AMC.

The company is planning to create a cultural district in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, which includes offices, residential spaces, shopping malls and two eye-catching cultural programs.

The studio of acclaimed architect Mark Fisher (who passed away in June) designed the Han Show Theater that overlooks the city's Donghu Lake, as well as the Movie Park that overlooks Shahu Lake to its east.

Spread over 100,000 square meters, the three-story Movie Park will be the first indoor movie theme park in the world. Containing six attractions built upon the most advanced movie technology by top studios and special visual effect companies like Industrial Light & Magic and R&H, it is scheduled to open on Dec 20.

Also in the one-year opening countdown is Han Show, directed by Franco Dragone, theater and performing arts maestro behind the most prestigious shows of the Cirque de Soleil.

The company expects the two attractions to boost the city's cultural tourism when the gates open in December.

"Wuhan is geographically the center of China, with convenient transportation to major cities," says Jung Tang, vice-president of Wanda Group. "Wanda's negotiation with the Wuhan government went very smoothly, with both sides hoping to make the city an eco-friendly international tourism destination with rich cultural attractions."

The city, four to five hours by rail and two hours by air to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, foresees fast growth for its economy.

"Wanda's programs in Wuhan targets not only local residents, but those across China and the world," Tang adds.