Chimelong stories

Chinese corporation Chimelong Group Co., Ltd. owns and operates theme parks, as well as restaurants, hotels, and other enterprises, in China. Su Zhigang is a local native of Panyu, Guangzhou, Guangdong. He created the company in 1989. His first business was Xiangjiang Restaurant, which was upgraded into the current hotel in 1994.

After many field study excursions to safari parks abroad, he decided to create a private zoo. He wanted to allow Chinese citizens to see wildlife from around the world without travelling. This created what was then known as Xiangjiang Safari Park in Guangzhou, Asia’s largest animal theme park. This is located within the Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort in Guangzhou, Guangdong. The resort is also home to Chimelong Paradise, China’s largest amusement park. The park’s 10 Inversion Roller Coaster shared the record for most inversions with Colossus at Thorpe Park in Surrey, England, until The Smiler at Alton Towers, England opened. The resort also features a water park and bird park.

The company also operates the Chimelong Qingyuan Forest Resort in Qingyuan, Guangdong, which is home to Chimelong Forest Kingdom, and the Chimelong International Ocean Resort in Hengqin, Zhuhai, which encompasses Chimelong Ocean Kingdom and the new Chimelong Marine Science Park.

The company’s most recent project is Chimelong Spaceship Theme Park. This has been awarded seven Guinness World Records. The records include the World’s Largest Indoor Theme Park, the World’s Largest Aquarium and the World’s Largest Living Coral Reef Exhibit

Su Zhigang serves as chairman and CEO. In 2023, he was named the recipient of the Buzz Price Award. This was part of the Themed Entertainment Association’s 30th Annual Thea Awards programme.