No, there has never been a Disney property in Beijing, but it seems that the idea of having one has intrigued locals and tourists alike. During my trip to China last month, I couldn’t help but overhear the repeated question about the existence of a Disney park in Beijing while on a bus ride to the Great Wall.
As we traveled along a picturesque country road towards the part of the Great Wall we were visiting, something caught our attention – an oddly Disney-esque property amidst the landscape. Abandoned buildings stood before us in shades of familiar grays and blues, reminiscent of those seen in Disney commercials or theme parks. This place was known as Wonderland Amusement Park, a project that was unfortunately never completed due to lack of funding and numerous complaints from local farmers.
Curiosity piqued, I decided to dig deeper into this intriguing discovery. Upon researching, I stumbled across a couple of articles that provided great insight into the abandoned Wonderland Amusement Park. The Washington Post and Totally Cool Pix both showcased remarkable inside pictures of this Disneyland-inspired attraction.
Regrettably, I could only capture photos from the moving bus, but I managed to take the best shots I could get. These photos only hint at the surreal nature of the deserted park, leaving much to the imagination.
Interestingly enough, Wonderland Amusement Park was not the only attempt at creating a Disney-like experience in Beijing. Another park called Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park earned attention with its eyebrow-raising slogan, “Disneyland is too far, come to BSAP.” It may not have been the most classy approach, but it certainly reflected the desire for an alternative Disney experience closer to home.
While researching further, I discovered that Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park had toned down its Disney influences and continued to operate. It surprised me that I missed the opportunity to explore this peculiar attraction firsthand.
During one of our bus rides, I caught sight of an intriguing structure that resembled Spaceship Earth, the iconic geodesic sphere at Disney’s Epcot. Although I am uncertain of the location and whether it is linked to Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park, it was amusing to witness two similar structures existing in Beijing.
In conclusion, while Beijing has yet to boast an official Disney presence, the fascination with Disney-inspired projects in the city has led to the creation of Wonderland Amusement Park and Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park. These unofficial attractions provide a glimpse into the dream of experiencing a touch of Disney magic in the Chinese capital.
