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NEWS
Chinese government's tourism plans means futuristic 'floating city' could well become a reality
POSTED 09 Jul 2014 . BY Katie Buckley
The futuristic floating city could start construction in the next 10 to 20 years Credit: AT Design Office
London’s AT Design Office has released designs for a floating city in the China Sea, and the plans look set to become reality as China's government looks to maximise its tourist footprint.

Space is a premium on any continent, especially so in China and the proposed floating city would be built to appeal to tourists and residents alike, offering an array of attractions and plenty of green space.

Commissioned by the Chinese construction firm China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the proposed city is 4sq m (10.3sq km) and will be constructed from prefabricated blocks, 150metres (492 ft) in length and 30metres (98 ft) across.

Vertical gardens and green spaces feature heavily in the design, both being above and below the water level. The development will also feature luxury hotels, restaurants, shops and an entertainment centre in a separate area designated an 'amusement city'.

The city will have an internal and external traffic system, for electric vehicles only. The most common way to access it will be via submarine and boat. Overall, the project aims to be incredibly eco-friendly. It is expected to be self-sufficient with a house farm, hatchery and recycling centre.

Although there is no set date or budget released for the project, Business Insider reports that AT Design Office were in talks with a Chinese investment group and a smaller scale, test version of the project might be built some time next year, while construction of the floating city could start within 10 to 20 years.

With over populated countries rapidly densifying, it seems highly probable that architects and construction companies will be looking to expand into the ocean more and more over the next decade, with floating resorts already in the works in the Maldives and Tunisia.
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  New Chinese museum of literature boasts 2.75m books


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ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study, providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million) industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa – which is due to open in 2028.
AI firm Midjourney enters wellness with spa, fitness and body scanning concept
TLee Spas and Wellness has revealed the design concept for a high-tech spa with body mapping scanners to improve public health, for AI company Midjourney.
Swissline opens renovated urban wellness destination Labo Spa in Zurich
Swissline has opened a flagship day spa in Zurich, Switzerland, called Labo Spa.
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Embrace the chill: TechnoAlpin's Snowsky revolutionises post-fitness recovery with falling snow
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Elemis launches its first Red Light Mask, lighting the way to advanced skin health and restoration
Elemis has branched into LED skincare with the launch of its breakthrough Red Light Mask. [more...]
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COMPANY PROFILES
i-Tech Industries

Founded by Dr. Gianfranco Tudico, CEO of i-Tech Industries, icoone was created from the vision of co [more...]
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Our mission is to raise awareness of our industry within schools, colleges, society and crucially at [more...]
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23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

SpaTec North America

Pier Sixty Six, Fort Lauderdale, United States
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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Chinese government's tourism plans means futuristic 'floating city' could well become a reality
POSTED 09 Jul 2014 . BY Katie Buckley
The futuristic floating city could start construction in the next 10 to 20 years Credit: AT Design Office
London’s AT Design Office has released designs for a floating city in the China Sea, and the plans look set to become reality as China's government looks to maximise its tourist footprint.

Space is a premium on any continent, especially so in China and the proposed floating city would be built to appeal to tourists and residents alike, offering an array of attractions and plenty of green space.

Commissioned by the Chinese construction firm China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the proposed city is 4sq m (10.3sq km) and will be constructed from prefabricated blocks, 150metres (492 ft) in length and 30metres (98 ft) across.

Vertical gardens and green spaces feature heavily in the design, both being above and below the water level. The development will also feature luxury hotels, restaurants, shops and an entertainment centre in a separate area designated an 'amusement city'.

The city will have an internal and external traffic system, for electric vehicles only. The most common way to access it will be via submarine and boat. Overall, the project aims to be incredibly eco-friendly. It is expected to be self-sufficient with a house farm, hatchery and recycling centre.

Although there is no set date or budget released for the project, Business Insider reports that AT Design Office were in talks with a Chinese investment group and a smaller scale, test version of the project might be built some time next year, while construction of the floating city could start within 10 to 20 years.

With over populated countries rapidly densifying, it seems highly probable that architects and construction companies will be looking to expand into the ocean more and more over the next decade, with floating resorts already in the works in the Maldives and Tunisia.
RELATED STORIES
New Chinese museum of literature boasts 2.75m books


China’s rich literary past is to be celebrated in a new Beijing museum boasting 2.75m books, made up of cultural classics from across the past millennium.
MORE NEWS
ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study, providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million) industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa – which is due to open in 2028.
AI firm Midjourney enters wellness with spa, fitness and body scanning concept
TLee Spas and Wellness has revealed the design concept for a high-tech spa with body mapping scanners to improve public health, for AI company Midjourney.
Swissline opens renovated urban wellness destination Labo Spa in Zurich
Swissline has opened a flagship day spa in Zurich, Switzerland, called Labo Spa.
Gran Hotel Taoro opens Sandára Wellness Centre
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Franchise expert Carrie Walsh joins Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa as CEO
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans to expand.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Embrace the chill: TechnoAlpin's Snowsky revolutionises post-fitness recovery with falling snow
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]

Elemis launches its first Red Light Mask, lighting the way to advanced skin health and restoration
Elemis has branched into LED skincare with the launch of its breakthrough Red Light Mask. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
i-Tech Industries

Founded by Dr. Gianfranco Tudico, CEO of i-Tech Industries, icoone was created from the vision of co [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

SpaTec North America

Pier Sixty Six, Fort Lauderdale, United States
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS