China: Dalian Wanda Group Opens Outdoor Amusement Park as Part of Nanchang Wanda City

On May 28th, 2016, the Dalian Wanda Group opened its new outdoor amusement park as a part of the entertainment complex Nanchang Wanda City in the Chinese province of Jiangxi to get in ahead of the scheduled opening of Disneyland Shanghai on June 16th, this year. The amusement park offers visitors nearly 50 attractions – from it 32 rides – on an area of 80 hectares. This also includes “Viper”, a wooden rollercoaster manufactured by the US company Great Coasters International (cf. EAP-news from November 16th, 2015).

Furthermore, FORREC has been in charge of the design development and master plan, for which the natural surroundings of the city of Nanchang with lots of fresh water lakes and majestic mountains have been inspiring to the company’s project managers. The park further reflects Jiangxi’s history and rich culture. “Storytelling is a central aspect of this region and the culture is rich with material to draw from,” said Linda Hung, Senior Director Theme Parks, FORREC Ltd. “We used some of Jiangxi’s favorite stories to create immersive experiences that take guests through five zones, celebrating the porcelain industry, ancient poetry, famous architecture, fairy folklore, life on the water and natural splendor,” she added. These zones are named “Pottery Village”, “Temple of Clouds”, “Bamboo Forest”, “Fairy Lady Land” and “Fisherman’s Village”.

Besides the outdoor amusement park the 200 hectare-Wanda City features an indoor theme park, nine hotel resorts from which five are already open, as well as numerous dining and commercial districts. The total investment volume is 22 billion Yuan (approx. 3 billion Euro). Nanchang Wanda City is the first project of its kind; the second Wanda City will be unveiled in Hefei this September. According to Wanda 13 more Wanda City complexes are scheduled to open in China and five venues in overseas until the year 2020. (eap)