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NEWS
The new wolf pack? Evergrande announces plans to build Chinese theme park empire
POSTED 30 Aug 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
Evergrande says its parks would host 33 large-scale rides, whereas Disney usually has between 18 and 22
Billionaire Hui Ka Yan – majority owner of property developer China Evergrande Group – has announced plans to build 15 theme parks across China as the market continues to boom in the region.

Branded Children's World, the Evergrande theme parks will be built across second-tier cities in China and focus on Chinese and Western mythology.

Each park will target 15 million annual visitors and generate revenues of US$3bn (€2.5m, £2.3bn) from tourism related services, said Evergrande. Construction will be completed by 2022, according to the developer, which added the parks would be all-season, indoor ventures.

Last month Wanda owner Wang Jianlin backed off from his ambitions to topple Disney, as the top theme park entity in China, selling the majority of the company’s theme park business in order to balance its books. Previously Jianlin had taken aim at Disney, saying that “one tiger” was “no match for a pack of wolves” in regards to Shanghai Disney and his numerous Wanda developments.

In its statement announcing the park developments, Evergrande followed suit, albeit using a much more diplomatic tone, comparing its plans directly to Disney, saying its parks would host 33 large-scale rides, whereas Disney usually has between 18 and 22.

Evergrande unveiled plans for several theme parks in China earlier this year, each with a US$7bn (€5.8bn, £5.4bn) price tag. Evergrande has named Ideattack, ITEC, Sanderson, Vekoma, Zamperla and HUSS as designers and suppliers for the developments.

According to China’s government, the country’s US$610bn (€506.8bn, £470.1bn) tourism industry will double in value by 2020, with the theme park boom spurred on by an emerging middle class.
RELATED STORIES
  'Plenty of opportunity for expansion in China' says Iger as Shanghai booms


Disney chair Bob Iger has said that there is “plenty of opportunity for expansion” in China, as its parks division, buoyed by the operator’s overseas ventures, enjoyed a strong third quarter of the fiscal year.
  Disney's Parks and Resorts division performs well with strong overseas growth


An increase in visitor spending at Disney's Shanghai and Paris resorts has contributed to strong growth for the company's parks and resorts division, according to its latest earnings report.
  It takes 'more than money and cranes' to have theme park success, Six Flags tells Wanda


James Reid-Anderson, the chair of Six Flags, has told Wanda that it takes "more than money and cranes" to build successful theme parks after questions were raised about the viability of the Chinese market.
  Second buyer joins Wanda deal as group restructures multi-billion theme park and hotel sale


Following a shock move by Wanda to first sell off the majority of its theme park and hotel portfolio and then loan its purchaser billions of dollars to finance the deal, the landmark property deal has taken another twist, with the addition of a second buyer to the sale.
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NEWS
The new wolf pack? Evergrande announces plans to build Chinese theme park empire
POSTED 30 Aug 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
Evergrande says its parks would host 33 large-scale rides, whereas Disney usually has between 18 and 22
Billionaire Hui Ka Yan – majority owner of property developer China Evergrande Group – has announced plans to build 15 theme parks across China as the market continues to boom in the region.

Branded Children's World, the Evergrande theme parks will be built across second-tier cities in China and focus on Chinese and Western mythology.

Each park will target 15 million annual visitors and generate revenues of US$3bn (€2.5m, £2.3bn) from tourism related services, said Evergrande. Construction will be completed by 2022, according to the developer, which added the parks would be all-season, indoor ventures.

Last month Wanda owner Wang Jianlin backed off from his ambitions to topple Disney, as the top theme park entity in China, selling the majority of the company’s theme park business in order to balance its books. Previously Jianlin had taken aim at Disney, saying that “one tiger” was “no match for a pack of wolves” in regards to Shanghai Disney and his numerous Wanda developments.

In its statement announcing the park developments, Evergrande followed suit, albeit using a much more diplomatic tone, comparing its plans directly to Disney, saying its parks would host 33 large-scale rides, whereas Disney usually has between 18 and 22.

Evergrande unveiled plans for several theme parks in China earlier this year, each with a US$7bn (€5.8bn, £5.4bn) price tag. Evergrande has named Ideattack, ITEC, Sanderson, Vekoma, Zamperla and HUSS as designers and suppliers for the developments.

According to China’s government, the country’s US$610bn (€506.8bn, £470.1bn) tourism industry will double in value by 2020, with the theme park boom spurred on by an emerging middle class.
RELATED STORIES
'Plenty of opportunity for expansion in China' says Iger as Shanghai booms


Disney chair Bob Iger has said that there is “plenty of opportunity for expansion” in China, as its parks division, buoyed by the operator’s overseas ventures, enjoyed a strong third quarter of the fiscal year.
Disney's Parks and Resorts division performs well with strong overseas growth


An increase in visitor spending at Disney's Shanghai and Paris resorts has contributed to strong growth for the company's parks and resorts division, according to its latest earnings report.
It takes 'more than money and cranes' to have theme park success, Six Flags tells Wanda


James Reid-Anderson, the chair of Six Flags, has told Wanda that it takes "more than money and cranes" to build successful theme parks after questions were raised about the viability of the Chinese market.
Second buyer joins Wanda deal as group restructures multi-billion theme park and hotel sale


Following a shock move by Wanda to first sell off the majority of its theme park and hotel portfolio and then loan its purchaser billions of dollars to finance the deal, the landmark property deal has taken another twist, with the addition of a second buyer to the sale.
MORE NEWS
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
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COMPANY PROFILES
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
28-29 Sep 2026

Wellness Destination AI Tech Summit – Tourism, Hospitality & Real Estate, 28-29 Sept 2026

Grand Ballroom, METT Singapore, Singapore
+ More diary  
 


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Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

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