The groundbreaking ceremony of Big Nianhuawan project is held in Zhoutie town, Yixing city on Dec 25. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxifabu2013]

Construction started on the Big Nianhuawan project in Zhoutie town, Yixing city on Dec 25.

The project was funded by Wuxi Lingshan Cultural Tourism Group with an investment of 20 billion yuan ($3 billion) and is expected to serve as a model for how to properly manage water ecosystems and increase tourism.

The project is designed to emulate Nianhuawan, a modern Buddhist resort that is among the most popular tourist attractions in Wuxi. The two sites will be located across Taihu Lake from each other, just 3.6 kilometers apart.

A view of Taihu Lake. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxifabu2013]

The project is a pilot project for the integration of Wuxi and Yixing, demonstration project for the governance and transformation of Taihu Lake, and landmark project for the upgrading of Wuxi’s cultural tourism, according to the plan.

Its first phase will open to the public in 2023 and provide about 12,000 jobs to locals. Approximately 5 million tourists are expected to come from other cities, especially those in the Yangtze River Delta.

Officials said that the project will not only expand the Taihu Lake National Tourism Resort, but also strengthen the coordinated development of Binhu district, Wuxi and Yixing.