logo
Monkey King stars as world's largest Legoland opens in Shanghai

Monkey King stars as world's largest Legoland opens in Shanghai

The Mainichi3 days ago
SHANGHAI (Kyodo) -- The world's largest Legoland opened in Shanghai on Saturday, featuring eight areas themed on such characters as the Monkey King from the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West" as well as an expansive replica of the local cityscape made of Lego bricks.
The amusement park spanning 318,000 square meters in the suburbs of Shanghai is the first Legoland resort in China and the 11th globally. Visitors can enjoy more than 75 interactive rides, shows and attractions in addition to thousands of models made with over 85 million Lego bricks.
The Lego models include pandas and the Bund, Shanghai's iconic waterfront promenade. The resort also features a hotel with 250 Lego-themed rooms.
Shi Shuyi, 32, who traveled two hours from Changzhou in Jiangsu Province to reach Shanghai Legoland during a trial opening in late June, rode the same attraction three times with her 4-year-old son.
"I want to go to a Legoland in Nagoya as well," Shi said.
The other Legoland resorts are located in Britain, Denmark, Germany, South Korea, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
In China, two more Legoland resorts are under construction, one in Shenzhen in the southern Guangdong Province and the other near Chengdu, capital of the southwestern Sichuan Province.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kataoka Folding Screens: Japanese Tradition Made to Order

time2 days ago

Kataoka Folding Screens: Japanese Tradition Made to Order

Ornate folding screens called byōbu have been part of Japanese interior décor since the sixth century. Today, Kataoka Byōbu, a specialty shop in the Mukōjima neighborhood of Tokyo's Sumida, uses traditional techniques paired with contemporary know-how to create original renditions of the decorative items that reflect modern tastes. The shop, founded in 1946, nestles in a residential area just a stone's throw from the Tokyo Skytree. Run by third-generation head Kataoka Kōta, it has drawn attention in Japan and abroad for its made-to-order services. While in high school, Kataoka spent time studying in the United States and was impressed by how fellow exchange students from other countries eloquently shared about their own cultures. He says that the experience opened his eyes, convincing him that folding screens were a tradition Japan could take pride in. This led him to join the family business, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who founded the shop, and his father. Since taking the reins in 2024, he has embraced Japan's uptick in foreign visitors as an opportunity to share the ancient charms of Japan's traditional folding screens 'More and more, people around the world are incorporating aspects of Japanese culture into their daily lives,' he explains, beaming. 'That includes using byōbu to add a touch of art to living spaces.' Kataoka Byōbu nestles in a quiet residential neighborhood. The first floor is the shop's showroom, and the second floor houses its workshop. (© ) Kataoka Byōbu head Kataoka Kōta says every person on his small, seven-member team plays a vital role in spreading the appeal of folding screens, from experienced craftsmen on down. (© ) Byōbu , which are Chinese in origin, have been used in Japan since the Nara period (710–94), initially to protect against drafts in sleeping quarters and as room dividers. They took on a more decorative role starting in the Muromachi period (1333–1568), with screens coming to display pictures in artistic styles ranging from modest ink paintings to ornate scenes depicted on gold-leaf backgrounds. Many of the masterpieces that have survived to the present were commissioned by samurai and aristocratic families as well as Buddhist temples. Hina dolls displayed in front of a folding screen. (© ) As there is little call for folding screens in modern homes though, demand has shrunk, with many producers closing their doors forever. Today, Kataoka Byōbu is the sole shop of its kind in Tokyo. Its main business is making screens for traditional doll manufacturers and other businesses specializing in seasonal decorations, an industry that itself is feeling the pinch of Japan's changing demographic landscape. Recognizing the shifting winds, the shop under began accepting general orders. It launched its made-to-order service whereby customers can purchase byōbu of their own design for special occasions like wedding anniversaries. As its customizing business has grown, the shop has also seen an uptick in orders from companies and local governments. A fashion display incorporates a special-order folding screen made by Kataoka Byōbu. (Courtesy Kataoka Byōbu) Photos and other images can be used to customize folding screens. (© ) A traditional-style work by a contemporary artist. (© ) Freedom of Expression Kataoka says that foreigners interested in traditional Japanese culture are another growing segment and now account for some 30% of the shop's sales. Motifs like pine trees and Mount Fuji are popular made-to-order designs. He and staff take orders directly at the store or interact online using texting apps to meet customer requests for aspects like size and color schemes, shipping the final creations nearly anywhere in the world. A folding screen ordered by a foreign customer featuring a Japanese maple in autumn and gold leaf. (Courtesy Kataoka Byōbu) Kataoka Byōbu's workshop. (© ) Kataoka enjoys meeting a wide variety of customer requests, declaring that 'the process of creating an original folding screen from scratch is a thrill.' Starting with a basic budget, the staff work closely with customers to come up with a design. Once this is finalized, artisans go to work in the store's second-floor workshop, preparing the frame, washi that serves as the canvas, and other parts. With larger, more intricate works, it can take up to three months to finish a screen. The finished products are checked carefully against the original design. (© ) An artisan at Kataoka Byōbu uses a traditional technique to smooth the surface of the folding screen in preparation for printing. (© ) Kataoka Byōbu has poured energy into spreading understanding of the traditional artform in Japan and abroad, including collaborations with foreign artists in exhibitions. Kataoka says that nothing brings him more pleasure than introducing people to the world of byōbu . 'I encourage everyone to drop by the shop while visiting the Tokyo Skytree and see the amazing skills of our artisans firsthand.' Kataoka Byōbu has a small museum showing tools and how screens are created. (© ) Kataoka Byōbu Address: 1-31-6 Mukōjima, Sumida, Tokyo Hours: weekdays 10:00 to 17:00; closed weekends and national holidays Getting there: one minute from the front exit of Tokyo Skytree station on the Tōbu Line; five minutes from the A4 exit of Honjoazumabashi station on the Toei Asakusa Line; six minutes from the A3 exit of Oshiage station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzōmon Line Website (Japanese only): (Originally published in Japanese. Banner photo © .)

Monkey King stars as world's largest Legoland opens in Shanghai
Monkey King stars as world's largest Legoland opens in Shanghai

The Mainichi

time3 days ago

  • The Mainichi

Monkey King stars as world's largest Legoland opens in Shanghai

SHANGHAI (Kyodo) -- The world's largest Legoland opened in Shanghai on Saturday, featuring eight areas themed on such characters as the Monkey King from the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West" as well as an expansive replica of the local cityscape made of Lego bricks. The amusement park spanning 318,000 square meters in the suburbs of Shanghai is the first Legoland resort in China and the 11th globally. Visitors can enjoy more than 75 interactive rides, shows and attractions in addition to thousands of models made with over 85 million Lego bricks. The Lego models include pandas and the Bund, Shanghai's iconic waterfront promenade. The resort also features a hotel with 250 Lego-themed rooms. Shi Shuyi, 32, who traveled two hours from Changzhou in Jiangsu Province to reach Shanghai Legoland during a trial opening in late June, rode the same attraction three times with her 4-year-old son. "I want to go to a Legoland in Nagoya as well," Shi said. The other Legoland resorts are located in Britain, Denmark, Germany, South Korea, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. In China, two more Legoland resorts are under construction, one in Shenzhen in the southern Guangdong Province and the other near Chengdu, capital of the southwestern Sichuan Province.

Summer Mountaineering Season: Climbers Should Be Well Equipped And Avoid Overexerting Themselves
Summer Mountaineering Season: Climbers Should Be Well Equipped And Avoid Overexerting Themselves

Yomiuri Shimbun

time3 days ago

  • Yomiuri Shimbun

Summer Mountaineering Season: Climbers Should Be Well Equipped And Avoid Overexerting Themselves

The risk of getting lost or suffering an accident while mountain climbing is not limited by altitude or season. Preparing appropriate equipment suited to the mountains one plans to climb is necessary to safely enjoy summer mountain climbing. The climbing trail on the Yamanashi Prefecture side of Mt. Fuji has opened, marking the start of the summer climbing season. There are surely people planning to climb Mt. Fuji during their summer vacation. Mountain climbing is becoming more popular among people of all ages as it helps improve cardiopulmonary function and leg strength. However, the number of cases of climbers getting lost or other mishaps has been increasing along with the activity's growing popularity. In 2024, there were 2,946 cases of getting lost or accidents, with 3,357 people involved, the third highest number on record. About half of those getting lost or involved in accidents were aged 60 or older. Even on Mt. Takao in Hachioji, Tokyo, a popular destination for beginner climbers at an elevation of 599 meters, the number of those getting lost or having other accidents has been rapidly increasing, exceeding 100 per year. Even low mountains should not be underestimated. In recent years, there have been a series of accidents involving foreign tourists and others who entered mountains without proper equipment. To deter reckless climbing on Mt. Fuji, Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures have begun considering charging for rescue operations using their disaster response helicopters. What prompted the prefectures to consider such a move was when a Chinese university student became stranded twice within a short period in April while the mountain was closed for climbing. First, the student became unable to move near the summit and was rescued. Later, he attempted to retrieve his belongings left at the scene and was rescued again due to altitude sickness. While rescue operations by police and fire departments, even when using helicopters, are in principle free of charge, such operations are inherently dangerous. In 2010, a prefectural disaster response helicopter involved in rescuing a climber who had become stranded in the Chichibu Mountains in Saitama Prefecture crashed, resulting in the deaths of all five crew members. Following this tragic incident, the prefecture decided to partially charge for rescue operations conducted with disaster response helicopters in six mountainous areas within the prefecture. To protect the lives of climbers, rescue operations conducted by public entities should ideally be free of charge. However, considering the specific circumstances of each region, it is important to explore ways to reduce reckless climbing. When climbing mountains, it is essential to carry adequate equipment and to be prepared for sudden changes in the weather. It is also important to plan with flexibility and turn back if any danger or anxiety is felt. One should select a mountain to climb that suits one's physical strengths and skills by referring to information such as 'mountain grades' that indicate the difficulty of climbing routes, as well as information from local governments. It is also essential to submit a mountain climbing report to local governments or other relevant authorities, detailing your name, contact information and planned itinerary. An increasing number of local governments now accept such reports online. The central and local governments should also strengthen efforts to disseminate information in multiple languages to ensure widespread awareness. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 5, 2025)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store