By Hu Yuzhou

Peppa Pig fans rejoice, it was announced during the recent 2017 China Tourism Intellectual Property Summit, that a Peppa Pig World will open in both Shanghai and Beijing next year.

The theme park will be brought to China by Merlin Entertainments, the second largest theme entertainment company in the world, also responsible for Legoland Resorts, Madame Tussauds and Sea Life Shanghai (a.k.a. Changfeng Ocean World).

According to Chen Jie, General Manager of Merlin Entertainments’ Chinese division, Merlin Entertainments has put great emphasis on the China market and plans to launch more theme parks and midway attractions in the near future, including Peppa Pig World. 

“We have learned the importance and popularity of intellectual property from Disney’s success in Shanghai,” says Chen. “By doing this, we can broaden our market in China. We have set families with preschool children as our target visitors. There will be both outdoor park areas and indoor play zones for them to experience authentic Peppa Pig plots.”

In order to make visitors stay longer in the theme parks, Merlin Entertainments is also considering the introduction of hotel services to its products in China. “We hope by the year 2020, all of our theme parks in China can have at least 2,000 rooms and provide an unforgettable living experience to more tourists,” remarks Chen.

Although no further details have been given, we can get a glimpse of what’s to come by looking at Peppa Pig World in Britain, currently the only one in the world.

Located at Paultons Park in Hampshire, Peppa Pig World has gathered nearly all the characters from the cartoon. Besides interacting with them on various rides and attractions, visitors can also purchase assorted Peppa Pig merchandise at the souvenir shops.

Despite the recent online controversy around Peppa Pig, with parents frustrated by their children mimicking the characters behaviors, at least we can all agree the theme park will provide a new choice for the kids (as long as there won’t be real muddy puddles).

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