An array of benchmark projects, including the world's largest spokeless Ferris wheel, has been announced in Shanghai, a move experts say will upgrade the city's skyline and boost its appeal as a cultural and tourism destination.

"The new attractions will further enhance Shanghai's appeal to both domestic and international tourists, reinforcing the East China city's position as a top-tier tourism destination," said Qi Xiaozhai, vice-chairman of the Commerce Economy Association of China.

"In particular, the would-be tallest Ferris wheel is expected to become a must-visit attraction for tourists interested in traveling to China," Qi said.

Located on the riverside in Baoshan district, the 2-billion-yuan ($292.83 million) Ferris wheel project tops the list. Literally meaning the "Arch of Shanghai", the 228-meter-high spokeless structure will take the shape of a gigantic ring, according to the city's official Jiefang Daily.

Designed to reflect features of an international cruise and maritime gateway, the new urban cultural and tourism landmark is set to begin construction by the end of 2026.

"It is common practice for global cities to develop iconic projects. Shanghai is already home to numerous attractions, including the Bund and the Shanghai Disney Resort. However, Baoshan district remains something of a missing piece when it comes to flagship tourism destinations," Qi said.

The project, located near the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, is expected to integrate with nearby attractions to offer global travelers a unique experience, Qi added.

The current largest spokeless Ferris wheel in the world is the "Eye of Bohai" in Weifang, Shandong province. Standing at 142.52 meters, it holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest centerless Ferris wheel due to its distinctive structure and height, according to public information.

In addition, the country's first immersive artificial intelligence interactive theater, named "New World: Golden Age" in Chinese, is set to launch this year, Yu Song, assistant to the general manager of the Shanghai Film Park, said in a China News Service report.

Developed on the basis of the filming location of the award-winning TV drama Fan Hua, or Blossoms Shanghai, the theater is set in the 1990s Shanghai and will feature four main storylines and nearly 100 subplots, allowing visitors to choose their own narrative and role.

"Tourists will not be confined to fixed seating; instead, they can move freely across the nearly 10,000-square-meter real-life street set to experience an immersive adventure," Yu said.

Another highlight is a 360-degree spherical venue. With an investment of 1.2 billion yuan, the venue, located on the West Bund in Xuhui district, will accommodate about 3,000 people.

Scheduled to begin construction in the second half of this year, it is expected to become a new landmark and complement the area's cultural ecosystem.

Five major projects, with a combined investment of about 4 billion yuan, were announced during the Shanghai Tourism Investment Promotion Conference on April 29, covering waterfront leisure, urban renewal, digital performance, immersive experiences and landmark development.

"Standing out for their technological appeal, immersive experience and iconic features, the new projects are expected to enhance Shanghai's charm as a global cultural and tourism city," Qi said.

The projects come as Shanghai pushes to become a leading urban tourism destination. The city recorded 425 million tourist trips in 2025, generating 672.4 billion yuan in total tourism revenue, according to Jiefang Daily.

Inbound travel also surged, with 9.36 million trips made by overseas visitors last year, up 39.58 percent year-on-year, according to the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism. Among them, overnight inbound tourists totaled 8.79 million trips, an increase of 45.09 percent year-on-year.

wang_ying@chinadaily.com.cn