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KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan: There is a new shopping and entertainment destination coming up in Taiwan called E-Da World.
It has been billed as the first in the world to integrate luxury hotels, a theme park, residential property, and shopping malls into one huge development. It is also home to a giant ferris wheel and Asia's largest outlet mall.
E-Da World - in southern Taiwan's Kaohsiung County - is spread over 90-hectares, which was all once sterile land. The development includes a Greek-style amusement park, a university, and high-end residential projects.
Lin Yi-Shou, the founder of E-Da World, had a vision twenty years ago to transform it into one of Asia's top shopping and entertainment destinations.
He said: "Taiwanese like to go to the US or Europe for vacation. Now, the Chinese are among the largest populations in the world. I thought why not build a vacation destination for Chinese and Westerns to have fun."
Southern Taiwan is fortunate to have sun all year round, and developers of E-Da World intend to take full advantage of it.
In December, the Asia-Pacific Film Festival was held here. The event showed Taiwan's growing influence in the regional film industry. It was also one with potential business spin-offs.
Over the next five years, local officials will spend millions of dollars to transform E-Da World into the Cannes city of Asia.
Yang Chio-Hsing, Kaohsiung County Governor said: "We aim to attract more tourists from around the world. This project can create over 5,000 jobs, which can help the region grow."
As the largest mass development project in Taiwan, E-Da World is set to break another record. The team is now planning to build an over 400-meter high skyscraper. Upon its completion around 2014, it will become the first and the tallest observatory tower in Taiwan.
Although many attractions are still months away from opening, some luxury homes within the development are already occupied.
Most popular among the Taiwanese, are the 3,000-square-foot houses, selling for between US$1.5 million and US$6 million.
Lin Yi-Chong, Tong-Young Advertising said: "Many of our customers are Taiwanese doing business in the mainland. They are from Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung. They find this is the ideal environment for living and education."
E-Da World expects more than 10 million visitors per year, and hopes to generate up to US$300 million annually.
- CNA/sc
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