A cultural design features the most popular scenic spots in Wuxi. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]
A design competition themed on the Grand Canal has moved beyond creative display, turning award-winning concepts into signed commercial agreements and retail products.
The Wuxi Grand Canal Cultural Creative Design Competition drew more than 1,500 valid entries from eight provinces along the waterway. On Sept 3, the final roadshow awarded 15 gold, 30 silver and 44 bronze prizes, but the real headline was the deals that followed.
Huiquan yellow wine chocolates. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]
Four gold-winning teams took the stage to pitch before panels of investors and industry experts, fielding sharp questions on flavor profiles, production costs and long-term sustainability. Their answers were poised and persuasive, enough to help seal several partnerships on the spot.
All gold-winning works were listed on the Jiangsu Cultural Property Exchange trading platform, streamlining the path from copyright to production.
AR mini‑program that turns a historic block into an interactive story hunt. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]
A handful of standout products are already generating quite a buzz: Capybara plush toys decked out in Chinese New Year designs, an AI photo booth that prints Grand Canal‑themed memory cards in 45 seconds, Huiquan yellow wine chocolates (dubbed liquid xiaolongbao, or liquid steamed soup dumplings), peach‑shaped ceramic cups, and an AR mini‑program that turns a historic block into an interactive story hunt.
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