Legoland Shanghai Resort announced the single-day ticket policy on Wednesday as it prepares to open this summer. The move marks another step in the expansion of foreign-invested amusement parks in China, as international firms tap into the country’s growing ‘joy economy’ and vast consumer market. The resort will use a six-tier ticket system. The prices start from 255 yuan ($35.07) for children and 319 yuan for adults during off-peak season. The top prices are 479 yuan for children and 599 yuan for adults for busy periods during major holidays, according to its official website. Legoland Shanghai Resort will be China’s first Legoland, the 11th in the world, and will become the largest Legoland in Asia and the largest at its opening in the world. Designed for children aged 2–12 and their families, it features more than 75 interactive rides, engaging shows, and attractions. Ride installation is currently 80 percent complete, with 12 out of 24 already in the commissioning phase, the Global Times learned from the resort on Wednesday. The construction momentum comes as Shanghai sees theme park investment boom as global operators look to capitalize on China's expanding entertainment and consumption markets. Warner Bros has partnered with Jin Jiang International Holdings Co., Ltd., China's major travel and hospitality conglomerate, to build a Making of Harry Potter studio tour at Shanghai Jinjiang Action Park. Scheduled to open in 2027 with a 2.8 billion yuan investment, the Harry Potter attraction will be the first of its kind in China and the third in the world. Adding to Shanghai's theme park boom, an outdoor Peppa Pig theme park is also in the pipeline, which aims to be an international family-friendly attraction with immersive cultural tourism. The Chinese government has pledged to accelerate landmark investment projects and step up efforts to foster new forms of cultural business and vigorously develop the tourism industry, according to the 2025 Government Work Report, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Zhang Yi, CEO of the iiMedia Research Institute, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the confidence of international parks in China stems from its huge and steadily growing consumer market. As China's per capita GDP continues to grow, consumers' demand for cultural and entertainment activities has increased significantly. The huge market demand provides a solid foundation for investment, enabling foreign-funded enterprises to see the potential for investment returns. On the other hand, China’s continued opening-up efforts, with good policy stability, have provided a stable investment environment for foreign-funded enterprises, Zhang added. Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Chinese mainland in actual use reached 171.21 billion yuan in the first two months of 2025, according to the Ministry of Commerce. In the first two months 7,574 new foreign-invested enterprises were established nationwide, representing a year-on-year growth of 5.8 percent, it said.

Shanghai Legoland unveils ticket prices as intl amusement parks double down on China's ‘joy economy’

Legoland Shanghai Resort, China's first Legoland and the 11th in the world, announced its ticket prices, marking a significant step in the expansion of international amusement parks in China. The resort will feature a six-tier ticket system, with prices ranging from 255 yuan to 599 yuan. The resort is set to open this summer, designed for children aged 2-12 and their families. Meanwhile, Warner Bros is partnering with Jin Jiang International Holdings to build a Harry Potter studio tour, scheduled to open in 2027, and an outdoor Peppa Pig theme park is also in the pipeline. The Chinese government's efforts to foster new forms of cultural business and tourism are expected to attract more foreign direct investment.