China’s First Legoland Shanghai Opens: Your Ultimate Guide

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Get ready for brick-tacular fun! China’s highly anticipated first Legoland resort has officially opened its gates in shanghai. Welcoming visitors starting Saturday, July 5, 2025, the LEGOLAND® Shanghai Resort marks a monumental occasion. It’s set to redefine family entertainment in the region, bringing the beloved world of LEGO to life on an unprecedented scale. This major development is the culmination of years of planning and partnership, promising immersive experiences unlike any other.

A Historic Opening in Shanghai

The grand opening of Legoland Shanghai was more than just cutting a ribbon; it was a vibrant celebration. The resort officially welcomed its first guests on July 5th, ushering in a new era for theme parks in China. Located in the Jinshan District of Shanghai, the resort is a significant investment. It represents a deep collaboration between global entertainment leader Merlin Entertainments, the iconic LEGO Group, and the Shanghai government, including the New Jinshan Investment Group and partners like KIRKBI and CMC Inc. This partnership highlights the strategic importance of the project.

The vision for a LEGO-themed park in China dates back a decade, with agreements solidified in 2019. Construction was a massive international effort. It involved over 10,000 workers from 300 teams across 15 countries. This global expertise was crucial in bringing the intricate world of LEGO to life.

What Awaits Inside LEGOLAND Shanghai?

Spanning an immense 318,000 square meters, Legoland Shanghai is designed as the ultimate destination for children aged 2-12 and their families. The resort integrates a theme park and a themed hotel. It invites guests into eight distinct themed lands, each offering a unique adventure.

Visitors can explore over 75 interactive rides, shows, and attractions. The park boasts thousands of intricate LEGO models built from over 85 million LEGO bricks. It’s a true testament to the creativity and potential of LEGO construction. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by DADA, a towering 26-meter (85-foot) tall LEGO figure. This impressive structure is the largest LEGO minifigure ever created.

Unique Attractions and Iconic Lands

Legoland Shanghai features signature Legoland experiences alongside brand-new, exclusive attractions. A highlight is Miniland, a beloved Legoland staple. It features incredible replicas of famous landmarks built entirely from LEGO bricks. The Shanghai Miniland uniquely showcases iconic Chinese sights, including Beijing’s Temple of Heaven and Shanghai’s famous Bund waterfront. Global landmarks are also part of this impressive display.

A world-first attraction is the unique water-town style boat tour. This allows guests to cruise through stunning 25x scale LEGO models. These models depict historic Chinese water towns alongside modern Shanghai cityscapes. It’s an innovative way to blend local culture with the LEGO experience.

The resort also hosts the world premiere of the LEGO Monkie Kid live show. This performance takes place in the live theatre, adding exclusive entertainment value. Other key areas include BRICK STREET and BRICKTOPIA! with imaginative decorations. The LEGO NINJAGO themed land features thrilling rides like LEGO NINJAGO The Ride and Jay’s Gravity Force Trainer. LEGO CITY offers fun for younger guests with a Driving School and firefighting rescue. LEGO Friends provides water-based fun, and the LEGO Castle land delivers classic knight and dragon adventures.

Designed for Families, Built with Bricks

Every detail at Legoland Shanghai is tailored for its core audience. The focus is on interactive play, learning, and shared family experiences. The park’s development thoughtfully blends the established global Legoland concept with rich Chinese cultural elements. This integration aims to connect children with their heritage through imaginative play. It creates a destination that feels both familiar to international visitors and deeply resonant with local families.

The scale of the project is immense. The 85 million LEGO bricks used in construction are a staggering figure. They form not just models and attractions but the very fabric of the resort’s immersive environment. The meticulous design and construction involved expertise from around the world.

Planning Your Visit: Tickets and More

For those planning a trip, ticket prices range from $44 to $84. This is equivalent to approximately 319 to 599 Chinese yuan. The resort includes extensive dining and shopping options. Six restaurants and numerous food stands offer themed items like Dragon Ollie treats and LEGO brick-shaped ice cream. Ten retail stores are available, including Asia’s largest “The BIG Shop” and the world premiere LEGO Monkie Kid’s Merch shop.

The LEGOLAND Hotel offers themed accommodations. Guests can enjoy character meet-and-greets, pyjama dance parties, and nightly surprises. This makes the resort a comprehensive multi-day destination.

The opening coincided with Shanghai’s 36th Tourism Festival Vacation Summer. This positions Legoland Shanghai as a premier travel destination. Initial visitor impressions have been highly positive. One LEGO fan described the park as a “good recreation, like a real fairyland of Lego.”

Shanghai’s Growing Tourism Landscape

The launch of Legoland Shanghai is set against the backdrop of China’s booming consumer market and rapidly expanding theme park industry. China boasts over 4,400 large-scale amusement parks and attractions. The industry is projected for rapid growth. Shanghai is a major hub for theme parks. Shanghai Disney Resort, which opened in 2016, saw 14 million visitors in 2023. Another project, a Harry Potter studio tour, is planned for 2027.

Experts note that China is redefining theme park reach. Improving infrastructure, particularly the high-speed rail network, allows parks to attract visitors from much further afield. Booking data supports this trend. Jinshan District, where Legoland Shanghai is located, saw 70% of summer tourism orders from outside Shanghai this year. This is a notable increase from previous years.

Merlin Entertainments leadership is confident the resort will attract both domestic and international tourists. The potential of the Chinese market is significant. Based on their experience, Merlin is already considering future expansions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key attractions at the new Legoland Shanghai resort?

LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort features over 75 interactive rides, shows, and attractions across eight themed lands. Key highlights include a unique Miniland showcasing Chinese and global landmarks made from 85 million LEGO bricks, a world-first boat tour through LEGO-built Chinese water towns and Shanghai cityscapes, the debut of the LEGO Monkie Kid live show, and the towering DADA, the largest LEGO minifigure globally. Other lands feature popular themes like LEGO NINJAGO, LEGO CITY, LEGO Friends, and LEGO Castle.

Where exactly is Legoland Shanghai located and how much do tickets cost?

Legoland Shanghai Resort is located in Fengjing Town, Jinshan District, Shanghai, China. It is easily accessible within the Shanghai area and via China’s high-speed rail network from further afield. Ticket prices for the resort range from $44 to $84 USD, which is equivalent to approximately 319 to 599 Chinese yuan. The resort also includes a themed hotel for multi-day visits.

What makes the Legoland Shanghai resort different from other Legoland parks?

Legoland Shanghai is notable for being China’s first Legoland resort and, at the time of its inauguration, was the largest Legoland park globally, spanning 318,000 square meters. It uniquely blends the established global Legoland experience with rich Chinese cultural elements. This includes specific attractions like the water-town boat tour and the inclusion of Chinese landmarks in Miniland. The resort also premiered the LEGO Monkie Kid live show, offering exclusive entertainment not found elsewhere. It was specifically designed to resonate with Chinese families while appealing to international visitors.

Building Dreams, Brick by Brick

The opening of LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort is more than just a new attraction; it’s a symbol of creativity, collaboration, and the growing potential of the Chinese tourism market. By integrating the universal appeal of LEGO with distinct local culture, the resort offers a truly unique family experience. It stands ready to become a new cultural landmark, attracting millions and building dreams, brick by brick, for generations to come.

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