Zhongshan's hotel industry has been making frequent headlines lately. On one hand, construction of a business-travel complex for Ji Hotel, a mid-range chain under H World Group, is set to break ground in Shaxi Town on September 5. On the other, the revamped, time-honored Fuhua Hotel is scheduled to reopen in October.

The moves reflect a broader trend of synergy between new and established players in the city's hotel sector. Over the past 2 years, mid-to-high-end outside brands, including Atour, Ji Hotel, Hualuxe and Hilton Garden Inn, have accelerated their expansion in Zhongshan, with more than 20 such hotels either opened or under contract. At the same time, local legacy hotels such as Zhongshan International Hotel, Fuhua Hotel and Hotel Ceeil are reopening one after another after renovations.

Behind the surge are several converging factors. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link has pulled Zhongshan into the "One-Hour Life Circle of Greater Bay Area," fueling a boom in cultural tourism. At the same time, the city's industrial upgrading and rising profile are generating fresh demand for supporting services. With both supply and demand gaining momentum, Zhongshan's hotel industry has moved into a new phase, from merely providing a place to stay to offering quality choices.