As it continues on its journey to become the world’s largest tourism entity, China’s largest property developer Wanda has opened a major theme park and resort in Yunnan province, China.

The US$2.5bn (€2.2bn, £1.6bn) Wanda Xishuangbanna International Resort has been under development since 2011 and is Wanda’s first outdoor park.

The 5.3sq km (2sq mile) development is the group’s third recent major project to open after the Han Theater and a Wuhan indoor theme park, with further plans to open ‘Wanda Cities’ across China to welcome more than 200 million people and earn annual tourism income in excess of CN¥100bn (US$16.1bn, €14.6bn, £10.3bn) within five years.

Forrec was lead designer on the 63 hectare site, creating the master plans, concept designs and detailed designs for the theme park and water park.

“We worked hand-in-hand with our developer client, Wanda Group, to embrace the colours, culture and natural wonders of Xishuangbanna,“ says Gordon Dorrett, president and CEO of Forrec. “This project was a pleasure, not only because it reflects our specialized skills in creating memorable entertainment experiences, but because it’s designed to give back and contribute to the local community.”

Nature is very much part of the development, which is home to the largest rainforest in the northern hemisphere. In addition to the theme park, which has five lands and includes a 45 metre-high rollercoaster running through the rainforest, there is a recreation and adventure park. A waterpark has also been incorporated, which has been supplied by WhiteWater.

The new resort incorporates an international stage show, three luxury resort hotels – including the Wanda Vista, DoubleTree by Hilton and Holiday Inn – a lakeside bar street, a Wanda Plaza and a hospital.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Wanda chair Wang Jianlin said the company will invest an additional CN¥95 bn (US$15bn, €13.3bn, £9.8bn) for further tourism and business development in the province over the next four years, with the large outlay of funds to “revolutionise Yunnan’s tourism industry”.