SU Zhigang
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SU Zhigang | |
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| Born | 1958 Panyu District, Guangzhou City |
| Nationality | Chinese |
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This is a Chinese name; the family name is SU. （参照维基百科中国名人写法）
This article is about the founder of Chimelong Group Co., Ltd.
Company Biography
In 1989, Chimelong Group was established by Su Zhigang in the Panyu district of Guangzhou, part of China’s populous Pearl River Delta. Since its founding, Chimelong Group dedicates all efforts to creating world-class tourist resorts, specializing in theme parks, circus shows, theme hotels, conventions, high-end restaurants and leisure entertainment. The group is currently operating two resorts, namely Chimelong Tourist Resort in Guangzhou, Chimelong Marine Tourist Resort in Zhuhai and building the third resort, Chimelong Forest Resort in Qingyuan. The three resorts altogether cover an area of more than 8000 hectare. Now it has become a leading company in the tourism industry in China with attendance of over 31 million.[1]
Chimelong Tourist Resort in Guangzhou, covering 221 hectare, is one of the most well received holiday destinations in Guangzhou City. Located inside a peaceful and secluded oasis right beside the bustling Panyu Avenue, the resort consists of 8 subsidiaries, namely, Chimelong International Circus, Chimelong Safari Park, Chimelong Water Park, Chimelong Paradise, Chimelong Bird Park, Chimelong Hotel, Chimelong Panda Hotel, and Chimelong Xiangjiang Hotel.
In 2014, Chimelong Marine Tourist Resort was launched in Hengqin New Area of Zhuhai, a prefecture-level city on the southern coast of Guangdong province in China. Covering an area of over 90 hectare, the resort currently consists of one theme park - Ocean Kingdom, two circus venues - Chimelong Circus City and Hengqin Theater, and four themed hotels - Hengqin Bay Hotel, Penguin Hotel, Circus Hotel as well as Yinghai Hotel and Apartments. According to the Themed Entertainment Association Index, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom and Chimelong Circus City have attracted more than 11 million visitors in 2017.[2]. Meanwhile, Chimelong has hosted “China International Circus Festival” every year since 2013. In the future, Chimelong Marine Tourist Resort will encompass various kinds of theme parks and hotels, such as Chimelong Adventure Park, Hilltop Theme Park, Night Safari Park and Marine Science Center and so on.
The upcoming resort, Chimelong Forest Resort will be located in Qingyuan with a massive area of 80 square kilometers. The first park will focus on fantasy forest theme consisting of live entertainment, high tech amusement rides and dark ride attractions together with animal exhibits. Along with the natural geographical advantage, Su is planning to build another world-class happy destination.
Life and Career
Su Zhigang was born in 1958 in Panyu District, Guangzhou City. Grown up in a peasant’s family, he has experienced a poverty-stricken life at his early life. At his age of fourteen, he had to drop out of the middle school to help do farm work. In the late 1970s when China opened up to the outside world, Su moved to the city as a migrant peasant worker. While working different jobs, he acquainted with a pork vendor in the market and started his own stall selling pork. Rather than sticking to local business like most vendors, Su intended to expand the market so he rode around the city in search of new business and soon became the pork vendor of large hotels and restaurants. During his delivery, he has gradually learned from those chefs and managers in restaurant management and its business model. Through years of hard work, he has prepared adequate money as well as experience for his own startup business.
In 1989, Su opened Xiangjiang Restaurant and shortly put it on the map. With the mounting experience and profits in catering business, Su started to run his first hotel, Xiangjiang Hotel in 1994 in Panyu, Guangzhou. It was designed as a three-star hotel and boasted over 100 guest rooms and more than 40 private dining rooms, which has become one of the largest restaurants in Guangzhou back then. In 1989, Su opened Xiangjiang Restaurant and shortly put it on the map. With the mounting experience and profits in catering business, Su started to run his first hotel, Xiangjiang Hotel in 1994 in Panyu, Guangzhou. It was designed as a three-star hotel and boasted over 100 guest rooms and more than 40 private dining rooms, which has become one of the largest restaurants in Guangzhou back then.
In 1989, Su opened Xiangjiang Restaurant and shortly put it on the map. With the mounting experience and profits in catering business, Su started to run his first hotel, Xiangjiang Hotel in 1994 in Panyu, Guangzhou. It was designed as a three-star hotel and boasted over 100 guest rooms and more than 40 private dining rooms, which has become one of the largest restaurants in Guangzhou back then.
Although the restaurant business went on wheels, Su started to seek for greater opportunities. In the 1990s, the majority of zoos in China were state owned as they were low-profit in general. However, Su decided to build a Safari Park. It was because the experience of raising livestock and poultry in his early adolescence that had generated a deep affection for animals. Even though his families were strongly against the idea and his friends frowned upon it as well, Su made up his mind and immersed himself fully in the safari park business. At that time, it was a challenge to constitute wildlife resource. Even in the best zoo back then, animals like giraffes were only a few. In order to make a difference, Su consulted the animal experts and traveled to learn from the international counterparts.
The multiple trips abroad inspired him a general idea of how to run a safari park, large animal population, a model considered both sensational and beneficial to animal conservation. Afterwards, he managed to introduce 30 giraffes from South Africa through a series of stringent quarantine and inspection processes. It was such a big move that astonished those in the field. Furthermore, Su was given strong backing by the government as he built the zoo for the purpose of animal shows, animal breeding, scientific education and tourism rather than animal trade. In 1997, Chimelong Safari Park was opened to public, which marked Su’s first step entering into the theme park industry. He is so enthusiastic and passionate on animal conservation and breeding programs that he takes it as his life-time career. Since its opening, the park has achieved recognized success in animal breeding, where white tigers ramped up from 60 to more than 200 heads and the only koala twins [3] and giant panda triplets [4] in the world were born.
After securing the position in the Safari Park, Su continued his new development plan. As Su traveled around the world, he was inspired by the Night Zoo in Singapore where the climate is similar to that in Guangzhou. He cooperated with the most excellent design company in the field and hired foreign experts in zoology. After eight months, the Night Zoo of Chimelong was opened, making it renowned nationwide.
As the park arrivals grew, Su realized that a one-day wildlife park tour cannot meet the demand of the holiday market so he masterminded to build the first animal-themed hotel in the resort. After visiting Sun City of South Africa, Australia and Las Vegas with his designers, he drew on the successful experience and brought up new ideas. In 2000, Chimelong Hotel was opened to public. The animal-themed hotel enables the customers to see white tigers and flamingo while enjoying the dishes. When stepping out upon the balcony, guests can overlook the snow tigers and all kinds of birds. In 2016 and 2017, Chimelong Hotel was awarded as World’s Leading Themed Hotel by World Travel Award [5].
When the railway construction and road alignment works started to affect the animals that live in the Night Zoo, Su worked to implement a redevelopment program. Therefore, the park was reconstructed into an amusement park, Chimelong Paradise. Opened on April 12, 2006, Chimelong Paradise offers a host of fun rides, stunt theater, parades, eco-leisure, specialty restaurants, theme stores and integrated services.
Chimelong Water Park was opened in 2007, which only took one year from design to opening. Su combined a variety of entertainment elements with advanced technology of water rides, stunt show, media, lighting and special effects all together to give an attractive tourist destination to Chinese customers in hot summer; hence it has been awarded as annual most attended Water Park worldwide in TEA Index since 2013[6]. Besides, not only did it top the list of “20 Best Water Parks in the World” every year since 2013 by Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), but also it was appraised by International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) as the “Must-See Water Park in the World” for several consecutive years[7]. Chimelong Water Park gave rise to a new round of "water park fever" in China and even Asia, setting a new benchmark in the Chinese industry.
With the economic radiation of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, China Pilot Free Trade Zone-Hengqin New Area of Zhuhai features an unrivalled geographic privilege. Together with his management team and engineers, Su blazed a new trail and built an extraordinary marine theme park and the largest ocean theme hotel in China. In 2014, Chimelong Marine Tourist Resort in Zhuhai was opened. Phase one of the resort includes a marine theme park, four theme hotels and 2 circus theaters. Phase two will include a grand marine science center and two themed parks at the Hengqin Hill. The marine theme park Ocean Kingdom received over 9.7 million visitors in 2017 and the whole resort received over 11 million arrivals in 2017[8]
In Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, the Journey of Lights Parade (Live Show) marks the finale to a day, according to Themed Entertainment Association, “The Journey of Lights Parade at Chimelong Ocean Kingdom signals a giant leap forward of technical and creative possibilities in the creation of mobile nighttime spectaculars. This is combined with the highest level of visual imagination and design, executed with theatrical flair and showmanship at virtually every level. “ The show was awarded Thea Award for Outstanding Achievements in 2018[9], which is the third time that Chimelong won the honor. The previous two awards are for the park in 2014[10] and for its 5D Castle Theater in 2017[11] respectively.
Apart from theme parks, Su Zhigang has also applied himself to the circus industry. In contrast to the traditional circus, Su seeks unique perspective of entertainment. He selected and introduced the best circus acts from all over the world and combined with the Chinese culture to create the distinctive circus shows for the audience. Chimelong Circus in Guanghzou started with a medley of world circus shows in 2000. Tens of millions had been invested to create the most elaborated stage works, and hundreds of millions invested to construct the world’s biggest circus arena that can accommodate nearly 8,000 spectators. It boasts more than 300 elite circus performers from over 20 countries, and almost 40 species – totaling more than 500 exotic animals also perform alongside them on stage.
Chimelong Circus City in Zhuhai has held the China International Circus Festival every year since 2013, attracting thousands of customers home and abroad. In the Circus that accommodates 6000 spectators, hundreds of artists from over 40 countries give the spectacular circus show to the audiences. In 2016, Su Zhigang was named "Circus Ambassador of the Year" by the World Circus Federation[12]. He was the only entrepreneur from the tourism industry to receive this honor in recognition of his long-time contributions to the art of circus.
The success of the Chimelong Group gave credit to over 20,000 employees from all around the world. Up until now, Chimelong has worked closely with international vendors and consultants from over 50 different countries and regions. With the joint effort, Chimelong has become one of the most well-known and leading tourism groups in the world.
Su Zhigang has been devoting himself to the tourism industry in China. He is the Vice-Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. Aiming to promote China’s tourism industry, Su has proposed a lot of suggestion during the official meetings and has been received positive support and recognition by the government and also the tourism industry. Moreover, under Su’s guidance, Chimelong’s representatives have actively participated as the affiliated member of United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the active member of World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the board of directors of Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA).
Due to his dedication to China’s tourism industry, he feels obliged to support animal ex-situ conservation and give back to the society. In 2008, Chimelong donated CNY 8 million (about USD 1.23 million) to China Giant Panda Research Center for reconstruction purposes after the Wenchuan Earthquake [13]. In 2016, Chimelong announced to corporate with United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for the establishment of the UNWTO Chimelong Initiative and invested $1 million in the project [14], aiming for sustainable development of the industry along with the conservation of wild flora and fauna, as well as devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products world. Moreover, Chimelong has donated millions of CNY to Guangdong Foundation for Poverty Alleviation for many years [15]. In 2017, Chimelong established the Flora and Fauna Conservation Foundation with the mission of in-situ and ex-situ conservation of wildlife, eco-environment protection and science education. From the 1st March of 2017, all the theme parks of Chimelong will donate 1 CNY to the Foundation for each ticket sold as the subsequent fund with the provisional duration of 3 years [16]. Su has kept a low profile and turned down many interviews. In 2017, however, Su was invited to give an interview by Wu Xiaobo, a Chinese famous financial journalist. He considered it a chance to share his life experience and ambition in sticking with own brand. In the interview, Su talked about the bumps and bruises when operating Chimelong, emphasizing that making the best of the work does make a difference. In the same year, Su was interviewed by Qin Shuo, the former chief editor of CBN daily. He looked back into his successful experience and shared his point of view on entrepreneurship, in which he focused on one thing at a time and spared every effort to materialize it, thus bringing surprise to customers one after another. (For more details, see external links below) Su has kept a low profile and turned down many interviews. In 2017, however, Su was invited to give an interview by Wu Xiaobo, a Chinese famous financial journalist. He considered it a chance to share his life experience and ambition in sticking with own brand. In the interview, Su talked about the bumps and bruises when operating Chimelong, emphasizing that making the best of the work does make a difference. In the same year, Su was interviewed by Qin Shuo, the former chief editor of CBN daily. He looked back into his successful experience and shared his point of view on entrepreneurship, in which he focused on one thing at a time and spared every effort to materialize it, thus bringing surprise to customers one after another. (For more details, see external links below) Su has kept a low profile and turned down many interviews. In 2017, however, Su was invited to give an interview by Wu Xiaobo, a Chinese famous financial journalist. He considered it a chance to share his life experience and ambition in sticking with own brand. In the interview, Su talked about the bumps and bruises when operating Chimelong, emphasizing that making the best of the work does make a difference. In the same year, Su was interviewed by Qin Shuo, the former chief editor of CBN daily. He looked back into his successful experience and shared his point of view on entrepreneurship, in which he focused on one thing at a time and spared every effort to materialize it, thus bringing surprise to customers one after another. (For more details, see external links below)
Su has kept a low profile and turned down many interviews. In 2017, however, Su was invited to give an interview by Wu Xiaobo, a Chinese famous financial journalist. He considered it a chance to share his life experience and ambition in sticking with own brand. In the interview, Su talked about the bumps and bruises when operating Chimelong, emphasizing that making the best of the work does make a difference. In the same year, Su was interviewed by Qin Shuo, the former chief editor of CBN daily. He looked back into his successful experience and shared his point of view on entrepreneurship, in which he focused on one thing at a time and spared every effort to materialize it, thus bringing surprise to customers one after another. (For more details, see external links below)
Honors and Awards
| Year | Awardees | Award | Award Giver |
| 2007 | Chimelong Water Park | Must-see Water Park | International Association of Amusement Parks and Attraction IAAPA |
| 2014 | Chimelong Ocean Kingdom | Largest Aquarium, largest acrylic panel, largest aquarium window, largest underwater viewing dome, largest aquarium tank[17] | Guinness World Records |
| 2015 | Chimelong Ocean Kingdom | Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement in theme parks | Themed Entertainment Association |
| 2015 | Hengqin Bay Hotel | ASIA’s Leading Themed Hotel
WORLD's Leading Themed Hotel |
World Travel Award |
| 2016 | Hengqin Bay Hotel | Best Distinctive Conference Hotel | China Travel & Meetings Industry Awards |
| 2016 | Hengqin Bay Hotel | Best Resort Hotel | Voyage Magazine |
| 2016 | Hengqin Bay Hotel | World’s Leading Themed Hotel | World Travel Award |
| 2016 | SU Zhigang | Circus Art Ambassador Award | World Circus Federation |
| 2016 | Chimelong Hotel | Best Theme Hotel in China | TTG China Travel Awards |
| 2016 | Chimelong Hotel | Asia’s Leading Themed Hotel | World Travel Award |
| 2016 | Chimelong Hotel | Best Conference Resort Hotel | 9th Golden Chair Award of China MICE Industry |
| 2016 | Chimelong Hotel | Best Resort Hotel | Voyage Magazine |
| 2016 | Penguin Hotel | Best Family Hotel | Voyage Magazine |
| 2016 | 5D Castle Theater, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom | Most InAVative International Project Award | Inavation Awards |
| 2017 | Chimelong Hotel | Asia’s Leading Themed Hotel | World Travel Award |
| 2017 | Chimelong Hotel | Best Theme Hotel in China | TTG China Travel Awards |
| 2017 | 5D Castle Theater, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom | Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievements | Themed Entertainment Association |
| Largest permanent projection screen, Largest stereoscopic 3D projection | Guinness World Records | ||
| 2017 | Hengqin Bay Hotel | Best Resort Complex Of The Year 2017 | China Travel & Meetings Industry Awards |
| 2017 | Hengqin Bay Hotel | Best Conference Resort Hotel | 9th Golden Chair Award of China MICE Industry |
| 2018 | Chimelong Ocean Kingdom | The Best local Theme Park | TTG China Travel Awards |
| 2018 | Chimelong Hotel | Best Theme Hotel in China | TTG China Travel Awards |
| 2018 | Journey of Lights Parade
, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom |
Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievements | Themed Entertainment Association |
| 2018 | Slide Wheel, Chimelong Water Park | Leading Edge Award | World Waterpark Association |
Major Events and Activities
| Timeline | Events and Activities |
| 1989 | Xiangjiang Restauant opened for business |
| 1994 | Xiangjiang Hotel |
| 1997 | Xiangjiang Safari |
| 2000 | Chiemlong Night Safari |
| Chimelong International Circus | |
| 2001 | Chimelong Hotel |
| 2003 | Chimelong Golf Practice Center |
| 2004 | Guangzhou Crocodile Park |
| 2006 | Chimelong Paradise |
| 2007 | Chimelong Water Park |
| Koala Twins were born in Chimelong | |
| 2008 | Su and Chimelong Group donates CNY 8 million (about USD 1.23 million) to China Giant Panda Research Center for reconstruction purposes after the Wenchuan Earthquake |
| 2013 | Chimelong Marine Tourist Resort in Zhuhai opens to public and successfully hosts the 1st Chinese Circus Festival and also the next four festivals. |
| 2014 | Ocean Kingdom opened to public |
| Rare set of giant panda triplets were born in Chimelong | |
| 2015 | Chimelong Circus Hotel and Penguin Hotel |
| 2016 | Chimelong Group, led by Su, was enlisted by UNWTO for sustainable tourism program and invested $1 million in the project |
| Chimelong's first Cartoon TV show released in July 2016. The story is based on Chimelong panda triplet IP and the panda zoo in Safari park. | |
| Su was awarded as Circus Art Ambassador from World Circus Federation | |
| 2017 | 5D Castle Theater in Chimelong Ocean Kingdom won Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement |
| 2018 | Panda Hotel in Guangzhou Chimelong Resort was open to public |
| Journey of Lights Parade in Chimelong Ocean Kingdom won Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement |
Attendances
Ranking
TOP 10 THEME PARK GROUPS WORLDWIDE
| Year | Rank |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2013 | 16 (of Asia) |
| 2012 | 17(of Asia) |
(From TEA Theme Index[1])
See also (Exiting Wikipedia Links)
Chimelong Group Chimelong Paradise Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The TEA / AECOM Theme and Museum Index". AECOM.
- ↑ "The TEA / AECOM Theme and Museum Index". AECOM.
- ↑ "Rare set of giant panda triplets are born in Chimelong (2014)". CGTN America. 30 November 2001.
- ↑ "Koala Twins are born in Chimelong (2007)". National Geographic.
- ↑ "World Travel Awards Asia Winners 2016_Chimelong Hotel". World Travel Awards Asia Winners 2016_Chimelong Hotel.
- ↑ "The TEA / AECOM Theme and Museum Index 2013" (PDF). The TEA / AECOM Theme and Museum Index 2013.
- ↑ "Chimelong Water Park is awarded 'Must See Water Park' by IAAPA (2008)". Chimelong Water Park is awarded 'Must See Water Park' by IAAPA (2008). Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ↑ "The TEA / AECOM Theme and Museum Index 2017" (PDF). The TEA / AECOM Theme and Museum Index 2017.
- ↑ "Thea Award 2018 for Outstanding Achievement - Live Show; Chimelong Ocean Kingdom's Journey of Lights Parade (2018)". Thea Award 2018 for Outstanding Achievement - Live Show; Chimelong Ocean Kingdom’s Journey of Lights Parade (2018).[dead link]
- ↑ "Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is awarded 'Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement (Theme Park) (2015)". Chimelong Ocean kingdom is awarded 'Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement (Theme Park) (2015). Archived from the original on 2022-08-15. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ↑ "5D Castle Theater, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom; Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction (2017)". 5D Castle Theater, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom; Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction (2017). Archived from the original on 2022-08-13. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ↑ "Su is named 2016 circus ambassador by the World Circus Federation (2016)". chimelong.miaojian.net.
- ↑ "Su and Chimelong Group donates CNY 8 million (about USD 1.23 million) to China Giant Panda Research Center for reconstruction purposes after the Wenchuan Earthquake (2008)". www.news.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 2008-12-06. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ↑ "Chimelong Group, led by Su, is enlisted by UNWTO for sustainable tourism program and invested $1 million in the project(2016)". www.chinadaily.com.cn.
- ↑ "Guangdong Chimelong Group donated to Guangdong Foundation for Poverty Alleviation". www.gdfpjjh.org.cn.
- ↑ "Guangdong Chimelong Flora and Fauna Conservation Foundation". www.chimelongfoundation.org.
- ↑ "Su opens Ocean Kingdom Park, and the main attraction of the park which is called Whale shark Aquarium breaks 5 Guinness records (2014)". Guinness World Records.
External links
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