Published by ChinaMNC · Lanshan

Turning Old Fishing Boats into Tourism Assets: What Foreign Founders Can Learn from Rizhao's Adaptive Reuse Model

A Rizhao government report details how the Shanhaitian resort area converted retired fishing boats, a near-shore island, and a disused fish farm into profitable tourism ventures. The case offers foreign founders practical lessons on asset-light site selection and local partnership in China.

Adaptive Reuse in Rizhao: A Practical Case for Foreign Founders

Foreign founders looking at tourism, hospitality, or cultural projects in China often focus on new construction. A recent report from the Rizhao municipal government describes a different approach in the Shanhaitian Tourism Resort Area: reusing existing marine and fishery assets rather than demolishing them. The details below are drawn from that official source and are presented as practical guidance for foreign entrepreneurs considering similar projects.

Retired Fishing Boats as Accommodation and Cultural Space

At the Yunguo Shanqiu tea tourism park in Shanhaitian, 35 retired wooden fishing boats have been placed among tea fields. Instead of being dismantled and melted down, the boats were converted into a cluster of boat-dock guesthouses. The project was initiated by Yan Zaoning, a local described as a third-generation fisherman. His team collected more than 50 wooden boats awaiting dismantling and selected 35 with sound hulls for conversion. Of these, 29 became individual guesthouse rooms, one large boat became a tea and coffee space called “Shang'an,” and the remaining five serve as a marine art exhibition hall, a workshop for model-boat making and educational activities, and landscape installations.

Interior details reuse maritime objects: rusted anchors as curtain hooks, old sails as projection screens, and oars, masts, ladders, and shells integrated into the rooms. The park also houses a museum of marine fishing memories and runs regular educational activities. The project employs more than 300 nearby villagers, with former fishermen serving as cultural interpreters. For foreign founders, this illustrates how local heritage can be a differentiator and how community employment can support local government relations.

Peach Blossom Island: Extending Visitor Hours Without Major Construction

Peach Blossom Island, about one kilometer offshore, is described as Rizhao's largest near-shore island. Previously limited to daytime sightseeing, it now offers evening activities. The development approach was “light-touch”: existing idle facilities were renovated, and natural areas such as rocky beaches were used for camping, shore foraging, and pet interaction. New additions include a small train and photo spots. A café called Shangshui Coffee, converted from idle space, opened for the May Day holiday. Night boat services began in late June, followed by music gatherings and starlight camping. The result is a shift from daytime-only visits to all-day and evening operations. Founders should note that such changes often require coordination with local authorities on transport, safety, and lighting.

Shanhai Lanwan: From Disused Fish Farm to Coastal Complex

The Shanhai Lanwan cultural tourism complex occupies a site that was once an abandoned fish nursery. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the project team carried out a refined organic renewal across 50,000 square meters, with total investment exceeding 100 million yuan. Old factory buildings were retained and upgraded into sea-view guesthouses and a seaside café. Abandoned nursery ponds were divided by depth and converted into a shore-foraging garden and shallow pools for children. Idle land became a creative market, pet park, and flower-field camping area. Concrete ponds originally used for fish and shrimp farming were filled with clear seawater and turned into infinity-style landscape pools. The complex's manager, Sun Jie, summarized the approach as keeping what can be kept and using what can be used, treating the original fishery character as the project's most valuable foundation. He also noted that the project generated spontaneous social media attention without paid promotion.

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

• Assess existing assets first: Before committing to new construction, examine whether existing buildings, boats, or infrastructure can be renovated. This can reduce capital expenditure and shorten timelines.
• Partner with local operators: Projects like these rely on individuals with deep local knowledge and relationships. Foreign founders should consider joint ventures or service agreements with established local partners.
• Check land-use and coastal regulations: Reuse of coastal and fishery sites may involve zoning, environmental, and maritime rules. Engage local legal and planning advisors early.
• Design for multiple revenue streams: The Rizhao cases combine accommodation, food and beverage, retail, and paid experiences. Diversified income helps stabilize operations.
• Document community benefits: Local employment and cultural preservation are often viewed favorably by authorities and can support permitting and public relations.

Next Steps for Registration and Operation

Foreign founders interested in tourism or cultural projects in China typically need to establish a legal entity, such as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise or a joint venture, and obtain sector-specific licenses. The Rizhao example shows that local government websites can provide useful project details, but they are not a substitute for professional advice. Founders should verify all requirements with qualified local counsel and the relevant authorities.

For assistance with company registration and ongoing operations in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp or WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.