A colossal 26-meter-tall Lego man named Dada stood prouder than a toddler’s first block tower, greeting visitors at the grand opening of Legoland Shanghai Resort on July 5, 2025. This plastic giant, towering over the crowds, marked the debut of China’s first Legoland, which also happens to be the world’s largest. Built with a mind-boggling 85 million Lego bricks, this park is ready to snap imaginations together.
The resort, a joint venture between Merlin Entertainments, the LEGO Group, and the Shanghai government, sprawls across 318,000 square meters in Fengjing Town, Jinshan District. It’s a place where kids aged 2-12 can unleash their inner brickmaster. With a $550 million price tag, this isn’t just a theme park—it’s a brick empire.
Miniland, the park’s crown jewel, is a Lego-built wonderland of global landmarks. Beijing’s Temple of Heaven and Shanghai’s Bund waterfront sit side by side, all crafted from tiny plastic bricks. Visitors can also hop on a boat tour through a historical Chinese water town, entirely made of Lego—because who needs real water when you’ve got plastic rivers?
The park boasts over 75 interactive rides, shows, and attractions across eight themed lands. From Ninjago to Lego City, there’s enough variety to keep kids bouncing between activities faster than a Lego brick underfoot. A world-first Lego Monkie Kid Live show, featuring a 3.7-meter-tall Demon Bull King puppet, promises to dazzle with 13 puppeteers pulling the strings.
Opening day was a spectacle, with Legoland characters dancing and prancing to welcome guests. The 4D cinema, complete with wind and snow effects, had kids squealing as they watched Lego movies come to life. Meanwhile, the park’s 22 daily character meet-and-greets ensured no one left without a high-five from a plastic pal.
The Legoland Hotel, just steps from the park, is a Lego lover’s dream sleepover. With 250 themed rooms—think Lego Castle or Monkie Kid—guests are surrounded by over 1,700 Lego art installations. The lobby’s Minifigure Wall, sporting 4,500 unique characters, is practically begging for a selfie.
Dining at the park is as creative as the attractions. At the LEGO CITY Restaurant, you can munch on a pizza shaped like a clock tower. Pigsy’s Food Court serves up beef soup noodles and a fruit mousse dessert modeled after Fengjing’s arched bridges, proving food can be both tasty and blocky.
Tickets range from $44 (319 yuan) for off-peak days to $84 (599 yuan) for peak times. Some grumble about the cost, especially with China’s economy doing the slow shuffle, but families at the soft launch called the experience “joyful” and “surprisingly high-quality.” With 55 million people within a two-hour radius, the park’s betting on big crowds.
Merlin Entertainments is already eyeing more Lego conquests in China, with parks planned for Shenzhen and Chengdu. The Shanghai resort’s “First-to-Play Annual Pass” and “First-to-Stay Hotel Staycation Package” sold out faster than a Lego set on Black Friday. Clearly, the brick craze is just getting started.
The park’s Miniland isn’t just a pretty display—it’s a heavyweight, with models tipping the scales at over 45 tons. From indoor to outdoor areas, plus a High Tower zone, it’s a brick-built tour of China’s iconic spots. The Fengjing Water Town model, made from 36,000 Lego bricks, is a nod to the park’s local roots.
Safety is no afterthought here. Nearly 100 emergency drills were conducted before the opening, and 1,000 staff members are ready to keep the fun flowing. The park’s vibrant, brick-inspired architecture practically screams “play with me!”
Rides like The Dragon Coaster and the world-first Monkie Kid Flower Fruit Mountain Adventure are already stealing the show. Installation for these attractions wrapped up by late 2024, with testing ensuring every twist and turn is kid-approved. The park’s Roof Garden, visible from the hotel, even doubles as a wildlife haven, keeping things green and buzzy.
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