Home » CHINA TRAVEL NEWS » China Emerges as a Theme Park Powerhouse This Summer as Domestic Travelers Flock to Family Attractions and Fuel Local Economic Growth
Saturday, July 26, 2025
It’s an once-in-a-lifetime tourism boom for China this summer: families have school holidays and higher temperatures on their side, and they are looking for fun, immersive ways to travel. A 70 percent spike in year-on-year theme park bookings by Chinese travel platform Qunar is the latest proof of a major shift in domestic touristic trends, as travellers value interactive entertainment and multi-day attractions over traditional sightseeing. New attractions including Legoland Shanghai Resort, and well-known places such as Universal Beijing Resort, are luring not only millions of visitors but also helping local hotel occupancy, cultural consumption and regional hospitality expenditures grow.
China’s Theme Parks See Explosive Growth as Families Flock During Summer Break
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As schools close for summer and temperatures rise, families across China are turning theme parks into the season’s most sought-after destinations, driving a dramatic surge in both ticket sales and tourism spending across the country.
According to recent data from leading travel platform Qunar, theme park bookings have skyrocketed by 70% compared to last summer, reflecting a strong rebound in domestic travel and a renewed appetite for immersive family-friendly experiences. From brand-new attractions to well-established entertainment giants, the theme park industry is emerging as a major driver of China’s cultural tourism sector this season.
Legoland Shanghai Ignites Local Tourism Boom
One of the brightest stars of this year’s theme park landscape is the newly inaugurated Legoland Shanghai Resort, which officially opened its gates on July 5. Anchored by a striking 26-meter-tall LEGO figure named Dada, the resort greets visitors with a vibrant collection of themed zones, hands-on adventures, and storytelling-based attractions designed to transport families into a vivid, brick-built fantasy world.
The impact of Legoland Shanghai has been swift and far-reaching. Forecasts suggest that the resort will attract approximately 2.4 million visitors in its first year alone, a strong indication of the public’s enthusiasm for new entertainment offerings. Located in the city’s Jinshan district, the park is already transforming the local hospitality scene. Hotels in the surrounding area have seen booking volumes soar by 3.5 times compared to the same time last year, while local homestay accommodations have witnessed an even more dramatic sixfold increase. Notably, more than two-thirds of those bookings are from visitors arriving from outside the region, underscoring the park’s growing appeal as a national destination.
The influx of tourists has brought with it a welcome boost for the local economy, with small businesses, restaurants, and service providers in Jinshan benefiting from a sharp rise in customer traffic. The resort’s presence is also spurring further investment in infrastructure and amenities, setting the stage for long-term growth in Shanghai’s cultural tourism economy.
Universal Beijing Resort Strengthens Capital’s Entertainment Economy
While Legoland Shanghai may be the newest arrival on China’s theme park scene, the Universal Beijing Resort continues to prove its staying power as a powerhouse attraction with significant economic influence. Since its grand opening, the resort has had a transformative effect on the Tongzhou district, where it is located.
In its first full year of operations, the Universal Beijing Resort fueled an astonishing 367.4% increase in revenue for Tongzhou’s cultural and entertainment industries, helping to anchor the district’s emergence as a key tourism hub in the capital region. Additionally, revenue from accommodations in the area surged by 122.6%, thanks in part to an influx of multi-day visitors and a growing demand for family lodging close to the park.
The resort’s wide range of movie-themed rides, interactive shows, and immersive dining experiences continue to draw visitors of all ages. With a curated blend of Hollywood favorites and local Chinese storytelling, the park’s broad appeal ensures repeat visits and extended stays — a critical factor in its contribution to local economic vitality.
Rising Demand Marks a Strong Future for Theme Parks
Across China, the resurgence of theme park tourism this summer signals more than just a seasonal trend. It represents a broader shift in consumer behavior, as families increasingly prioritize quality experiences, interactive entertainment, and memory-making over traditional sightseeing. Theme parks — with their high engagement and all-inclusive environments — are uniquely positioned to meet this demand.
This year’s strong performance is also encouraging for investors and developers. The success of new projects like Legoland Shanghai, coupled with the sustained popularity of major resorts like Universal Beijing, highlights the sector’s long-term potential. As China continues to expand its offerings with both international brands and homegrown entertainment concepts, the theme park industry is expected to remain a vital force in boosting tourism and regional economies.
This summer, China is seeing a surge in theme park tourism — from families visiting Legoland Shanghai to crowds descending on Universal Beijing — which has led to a 70 percent surge in bookings and a bump for regional economies.
A month into summer vacation and with millions of families embracing travel at home, theme parks across China are not just full — they are thriving. One ride at a time, these bright, high-energy destinations are changing what vacationing in China looks like.
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