Thousands of excited visitors flocked to the grand opening of LEGOLAND Shanghai, marking the debut of China’s first LEGOLAND and the largest LEGOLAND theme park in the world.

Located in the heart of the booming Yangtze River Delta tourism zone, the sprawling 318,000-square-metre resort welcomed eager LEGO fans donning themed apparel and waving flags as they braved the summer heat to be among the first through its gates.

The opening comes amid a robust rebound in domestic tourism, with tourist spending in China surging 18.6% year-on-year in Q1 2025, despite broader economic headwinds. “We’ve cut back on overseas trips since the pandemic and now travel within China often—especially to theme parks,” said a local visitor, Shi.

The Chinese government has introduced travel subsidies and is encouraging provinces to ramp up tourism marketing via social media. As a result, international entertainment giants are doubling down on China. A Spider-Man attraction is under construction at Shanghai Disneyland, while Warner Brothers will debut a Harry Potter experience by 2027. Meanwhile, Hasbro is designing a Peppa Pig park, and Pop Mart has launched a Labubu-themed venue in Beijing.

LEGOLAND Shanghai is expected to become a major family destination, reflecting China’s expanding appetite for immersive entertainment experiences.