Latest news with #Lujiazui
The Independent
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
World's largest Legoland set to open with replica of iconic skyline
Legoland Shanghai, poised to become the world's largest version of the popular theme park, is set to open its gates on July 5, marking a significant expansion into the Chinese market. Among its star attractions is expected to be a meticulously crafted mini replica of the Shanghai waterfront and the towering skyscrapers of the Lujiazui financial district, all constructed from the iconic colourful plastic bricks. The sprawling resort, the first of its kind in China, boasts eight distinct themed sections familiar to Lego enthusiasts, including Ninjago, Lego Friends, and Monkie Kid lands. These areas bring classic Lego pieces to life, featuring supersized constructions designed to immerse visitors in the vibrant world of Lego. While the scale of some attractions may not meet every visitor's initial grand expectations, the overall experience appears to resonate. Lyu Xiaole, a seven-year-old who secured a coveted pre-opening ticket, remarked: "I thought it would be huge, but it turned out to be half of the scale I dreamed ... But the attractions are beyond my expectation." The park's launch comes at a time when China's economy has faced headwinds, including weak consumer spending, a prolonged property slump, and high youth unemployment. However, Legoland Shanghai is banking on the resilience of domestic travel and the robust "experience" economy, sectors that have demonstrated continued strength despite broader economic challenges. Legoland Shanghai is operated by a joint venture between Merlin Entertainments, which runs Legoland parks around the world, and the Shanghai Jinshan District local government. The replica of downtown Shanghai and the city's waterfront is housed in the "Miniland" building at the site, where skyscrapers face the colonial era splendour of buildings along Shanghai's famed Bund promenade. The Miniland creations took 168,000 hours to complete, using more than 20 million bricks. "I think it's best to play Lego in Legoland because I have much less Lego at my place," said seven-year-old Shen Jieqi. Lego, the Danish family-owned toymaker that produces the bricks, is a familiar name in China where it has more than 400 stores. In Shanghai, Legoland will offer another leisure space in the city for those who can afford it. Tickets will start from 319 yuan ($44.46) in low season and up to 599 yuan on peak days. "We came very early in the morning. The atmosphere in the park is very joyful. The staff are full of passion," said Huang Xuanhua, 44, who lives close by the resort in Shanghai's Jinshan district and visited on Friday. "It has been a joyful day." ($1 = 7.1756 Chinese yuan renminbi)
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Zawya
World's largest Legoland set to open in Shanghai
One of the star attractions at Legoland Shanghai, which officially opens on July 5, is likely to be a mini replica of the Shanghai waterfront and skyscrapers of the Lujiazui financial district, all built in the colourful plastic bricks. The Shanghai resort, which will be the world's biggest Legoland so far and the first in China, features eight themed sections that will feel familiar to fans of Lego. They include Ninjago, Lego Friends and Monkie Kid lands, in which classic Lego pieces are brought to life and supersized - though not big enough to meet everyone's expectations. "I thought it would be huge, but it turned out to be half of the scale I dreamed ... But the attractions are beyond my expectation," said Lyu Xiaole, a very grown-up seven-year-old whose family were among those able to get limited tickets for a pre-opening visit on Friday. China's economy has been hit by weak consumer spending in recent years amid a prolonged property slump and high youth unemployment, but Legoland Shanghai will be counting on resilient domestic travel and "experience" spending which have remained strong. Legoland Shanghai is operated by a joint venture between Merlin Entertainments, which runs Legoland parks around the world, and the Shanghai Jinshan District local government. The replica of downtown Shanghai and the city's waterfront is housed in the "Miniland" building at the site, where skyscrapers face the colonial era splendour of buildings along Shanghai's famed Bund promenade. The Miniland creations took 168,000 hours to complete, using more than 20 million bricks. "I think it's best to play Lego in Legoland because I have much less Lego at my place," said seven-year-old Shen Jieqi. Lego, the Danish family-owned toymaker that produces the bricks, is a familiar name in China where it has more than 400 stores. In Shanghai, Legoland will offer another leisure space in the city for those who can afford it. Tickets will start from 319 yuan ($44.46) in low season and up to 599 yuan on peak days. "We came very early in the morning. The atmosphere in the park is very joyful. The staff are full of passion," said Huang Xuanhua, 44, who lives close by the resort in Shanghai's Jinshan district and visited on Friday. "It has been a joyful day." ($1 = 7.1756 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Casey Hall and Xihao Jiang; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Reuters
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Reuters
World's largest Legoland set to open in Shanghai
SHANGHAI, June 20 (Reuters) - One of the star attractions at Legoland Shanghai, which officially opens on July 5, is likely to be a mini replica of the Shanghai waterfront and skyscrapers of the Lujiazui financial district, all built in the colourful plastic bricks. The Shanghai resort, which will be the world's biggest Legoland so far and the first in China, features eight themed sections that will feel familiar to fans of Lego. They include Ninjago, Lego Friends and Monkie Kid lands, in which classic Lego pieces are brought to life and supersized - though not big enough to meet everyone's expectations. "I thought it would be huge, but it turned out to be half of the scale I dreamed ... But the attractions are beyond my expectation," said Lyu Xiaole, a very grown-up seven-year-old whose family were among those able to get limited tickets for a pre-opening visit on Friday. China's economy has been hit by weak consumer spending in recent years amid a prolonged property slump and high youth unemployment, but Legoland Shanghai will be counting on resilient domestic travel and "experience" spending which have remained strong. Legoland Shanghai is operated by a joint venture between Merlin Entertainments, which runs Legoland parks around the world, and the Shanghai Jinshan District local government. The replica of downtown Shanghai and the city's waterfront is housed in the "Miniland" building at the site, where skyscrapers face the colonial era splendour of buildings along Shanghai's famed Bund promenade. The Miniland creations took 168,000 hours to complete, using more than 20 million bricks. "I think it's best to play Lego in Legoland because I have much less Lego at my place," said seven-year-old Shen Jieqi. Lego, the Danish family-owned toymaker that produces the bricks, is a familiar name in China where it has more than 400 stores. In Shanghai, Legoland will offer another leisure space in the city for those who can afford it. Tickets will start from 319 yuan ($44.46) in low season and up to 599 yuan on peak days. "We came very early in the morning. The atmosphere in the park is very joyful. The staff are full of passion," said Huang Xuanhua, 44, who lives close by the resort in Shanghai's Jinshan district and visited on Friday. "It has been a joyful day." ($1 = 7.1756 Chinese yuan renminbi)
Mint
12 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
HK stocks log worst week since April as absence of fresh stimulus weighs
(Updates to market close) SHANGHAI, June 20 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks rebounded on Friday but still logged their steepest weekly decline since April, as the lack of new stimulus measures this week weighed on investor sentiment amid broader global tensions surrounding the Iran-Israel conflict. The Hong Kong stock market had witnessed a steady recovery over recent weeks, rebounding from losses triggered by reciprocal tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The benchmark Hang Seng Index has advanced 17% year-to-date. "The Lujiazui forum this week offered no new measures to boost the capital market, which was a potential letdown for some investors," said Jason Chan, senior investment strategist at Bank of East Asia. The two-day gathering of top financial regulators and market participants at the annual Lujiazui Forum wrapped up on Thursday, delivering few surprises for market participants. Sentiment is expected to remain weak, with the persistent risk of an escalation in Middle East tensions continuing to cast a shadow over markets, Chan said. "The market could stay range-bound in the short term." China kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged on Friday, as expected, after rolling out sweeping monetary easing measures last month to support the economy. China's blue-chip CSI300 Index closed 0.1% higher, while the Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.1%. Hong Kong benchmark Hang Seng was up 1.3%. For the week, the Hang Seng Index was down 1.5%, the biggest drop since the week of April 7, while the CSI300 Index was down 0.5%. Hong Kong's pullback was also exacerbated by fading interest from mainland investors. Their purchases via the Stock Connect scheme have slowed sharply in recent weeks, with net buying this week amounting to just 16 billion yuan ($2.23 billion) — only 20% of the peak recorded in April. The CSI Liquor Index rose 2.2%, leading gains onshore, after the index lost 12% this year on weak consumer demand and a government ban on civil servants dining out. Amid uncertainties related to China-U.S. trade friction, onshore share valuations may be range-bound at low levels near term, UBS strategist Lei Meng said in a note. "We expect limited downside, and potential upside catalysts mainly from stronger policy easing, the continual entry of medium or long-term funds and structural reforms," Meng said. Shares of "Blind Box" toymaker Pop Mart dropped nearly 4% after state media outlet People's Daily called for stricter regulation of the blind box industry, citing expert views. The stock has fallen 13% this week, but soared 165% this year. ($1 = 7.1837 Chinese yuan) (Reporting by Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
