The "Snack Kingdom," a recently opened global landmark in Changsha, has reported a phenomenal performance in its first month of operation. From April 17 to May 16, the venue attracted a cumulative footfall exceeding 1.0461 million visitors. During the five-day May Day holiday alone, it drew 265,000 tourists, with a peak single-day visitor count of 60,000 and a daily average of 53,000, surpassing attendance at major concerts.
Online engagement mirrored this immense popularity. The venue garnered over 480 million impressions across various platforms in a single month, with users sharing more than 77,000 posts on platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin. Hashtags such as #ItTakes96YearsToTryEverySnack and #WorldsLargestSnackStoreOpensInChangsha consistently trended, sparking a nationwide online conversation centered on exploration and joy.
The Snack Kingdom has transcended its role as a retail space to become a vibrant hub for international tourists seeking to experience contemporary Chinese consumer culture. Visitors from around the world have been drawn to this unique destination. A Spanish tourist remarked, "There's no place like this in the UK, the US, or Spain. It's a fantastic window for the world to see China. I love Chinese snacks!" A first-time visitor from Brazil expressed, "We specifically chose to visit the Snack Kingdom. It's the first time I've enjoyed shopping so much." An American visitor likened the experience to "the Disneyland of snacks," while a couple from Georgia shared that the venue offered not just shopping but also memorable experiences for photos, videos, and creating lasting memories. Some enthusiastic international visitors have even taken on the role of unofficial ambassadors, actively recommending the venue.
This immersive experience, centered on pure enjoyment, has positioned the Snack Kingdom as a living portal for global friends to observe, experience, and engage with modern Chinese consumer culture, where happiness serves as a universal language.
The venue's widespread appeal and innovative approach have garnered significant recognition. Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng shared a video of foreign visitors on social media, calling the Snack Kingdom "the wildest dream come true." Coverage by international media outlets, including Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao, Greece's Skai TV, and Romania's Prima TV, has further highlighted the innovation and vitality of China's food industry. Domestically, authoritative media like China Central Television (CCTV), People's Daily, and Xinhua News Agency have provided in-depth analysis from perspectives such as new consumption scenarios, emotional consumption, and "snack+" industry innovation.
Industry observers note that the influx of foreign tourists to the Snack Kingdom reflects the growing appeal of Chinese consumer culture. While iconic symbols like the Great Wall, pandas, and cuisine traditionally introduced China to the world, and technological marvels like high-speed rail and mobile payments impressed in the internet era, new consumer phenomena—represented by trendy toys like Labubu, novel milk tea, and innovative snacks—are now becoming fresh windows for the world to perceive the vibrancy of Chinese lifestyle and culture.