Theme parks are big business in Asia. In fact, in 2019, the top 20 theme parks in the Asia-Pacific region enjoyed a total of 141.3 million visits. This fell to 59.5 million in 2020 during the pandemic, then rose to 77 million in 2021 and 82 million in 2022. Theme parks are particularly popular in China, which is home to myriad destinations run by companies such as Fantawild Holdings, OCT Group and Chimelong Group.
However, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea claim the top spots in Asia-Pacific. Universal Studios Japan, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom and Shanghai Disneyland are also popular. The visitor numbers and ranking below come from the TEA/AECOM Theme Index 2019, which can be downloaded here. The latest attendance figures from the TEA/AECOM Theme Index are for 2022, but the ranking remains the same as it was in 2019.
Keep scrolling for blooloop’s top 19 theme parks in Asia.
1 Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Disneyland in Japan is part of Tokyo Disney Resort and opened in April 1983. The theme park is home to 44 attractions, 48 retail outlets, and 54 food and beverage facilities. Covering 51 hectares, Tokyo Disneyland has seven themed lands, as well as the iconic Cinderella Castle.
The largest expansion in the history of Tokyo Disneyland opened in September 2020. It covers Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Toontown. Fantasyland launched a new ride, shops and F&B themed to Beauty and the Beast. Tomorrowland and Toontown added attractions based on Disney’s Big Hero 6 and Minnie Mouse.
Tokyo Disneyland’s current version of Space Mountain and the surrounding area in Tomorrowland are being transformed in a ¥56 billion ($408 million) project.
2019 attendance – 17,910,000
2022 attendance – 12,000,000
2 Tokyo DisneySea, Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo DisneySea in Tokyo, Japan launched on 4 September 2001. Covering 49 hectares, it features 35 attractions, 40 retail outlets, and 40 food and beverage facilities. Inspired by the myths and stories of the sea, Tokyo DisneySea boasts eight themed ports with rides, live entertainment, shopping and F&B.
The park’s newest port is Fantasy Springs, which opened in June 2024. It features three areas inspired by Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan. The $2.2 billion expansion also includes a new hotel. It is Tokyo DisneySea’s largest development to date.
2019 attendance – 14,650,000
2022 attendance – 10,100,000
3 Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan
Opened in 2001, Universal Studios Japan is based in Osaka. It boasts all the Universal favourites, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion Park, Jurassic Park and Amity Village. In addition, Super Nintendo World opened at the park in March 2020. It was the first of four Nintendo expansions in Japan, Singapore, Orlando and Hollywood.
“Think of Super Nintendo World as a life-size, living video game where you become one of the characters. You’re not just playing the game; you’re living the game, you’re living the adventure,” said Thierry Coup, former senior VP and chief creative officer at Universal Creative.
Universal Studios Japan has confirmed that it is expanding Super Nintendo World to include the world’s first Donkey Kong-themed area, scheduled to open in 2024. It will feature a coaster, interactive experiences, themed retail and F&B. Visitors will feel like they are playing inside the arcade game, which was released by Nintendo in 1981.
“I am very happy to be able to make the world of Donkey Kong a reality, following the world of Mario,” said Nintendo game developer Shigeru Miyamoto. “I am looking forward to creating a thrilling Donkey Kong experience with the amazing team at Universal.”
2019 attendance – 14,500,000
2022 attendance – 12,350,000
4 Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Hengqin, China
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is a theme park in Hengqin, Zhuhai. Opened in March 2014, it was designed by PGAV, a global leader in the planning and design of unique destinations. The marine animal attraction boasts rides, shows and animal exhibits across eight themed zones. It is part of Chimelong International Ocean Resort, owned by Chimelong Group.
New to the resort is Chimelong Spaceship, which opened in 2023. The destination has already set seven Guinness World Records, including the world’s largest indoor theme park and the world’s largest aquarium.
Chimelong Group also owns the Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort, which has two hotels, Chimelong Paradise, Chimelong Water Park, Chimelong Safari and International Circus. Su Zhigang founded the Chimelong Group’s first theme park in 2006. Chimelong’s resorts in Guangzhou and Zhuhai feature world-class attractions.
2019 attendance – 11,736,000
2022 attendance – 4,400,000
5 Shanghai Disneyland, Shanghai, China
Shanghai Disneyland is jointly operated by Shanghai Shendi Group and Disney. It opened in June 2016 in Pudong, Shanghai and is part of Shanghai Disney Resort. This also includes the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel, as well as the shopping and dining district Disneytown.
The theme park has now expanded to offer an immersive Zootopia land, its eighth themed land and the first Zootopia zone at a Disney destination. The mammalian metropolis is home to innovative technologies and immersive theming.
Joe Schott, president and general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort, told blooloop in an interview: “We have to remember that this is the first and only Zootopia land in the world. So we’re excited to bring that to Shanghai for the very first time. It’s obviously a living, breathing experience; we wanted to immerse guests into the build for the very first time.”
2019 attendance – 11,210,000
2022 attendance – 5,300,000
6 Everland, Seoul, South Korea
Everland originally opened in Seoul, South Korea in 1976 as Yongin Natural Farm. The largest theme park in the country became Everland in 1996. It boasts five themed areas: Global Fair, Zootopia, European Adventure, Magic Land and American Adventure. It is also home to a water park called Caribbean Bay.
2019 attendance – 6,606,000
2022 attendance – 5,770,000
7 Lotte World, Seoul, South Korea
South Korea’s Lotte World can be found in Seoul and is operated by Lotte Group. It has both indoor and outdoor areas, Lotte World Adventure and Magic Island. Family-friendly rides and attractions are on offer at Lotte World Adventure, while thrill rides and coasters can be enjoyed at Magic Island.
Lotte World Busan opened in March 2022. The new 25-acre theme park was designed with Legacy Entertainment, a leading theme park and resort design company.
“For over thirty years, Lotte World has set the gold standard for family entertainment in South Korea. Our entire team feels very fortunate and humbled to help Lotte World write its next chapter in Busan,” said Legacy’s managing director for Korea, Yaeli Chung.
During its inaugural year, Lotte World Busan welcomed 1.4 million visitors. “Outside of Disney and Universal, many new theme parks which have opened in the last decade have struggled to find their footing initially, so this makes such a healthy debut year such welcome news,” said Chung.
2019 attendance – 5,953,000
2022 attendance – 4,520,000
8 Nagashima Resort, Kuwana, Japan
Nagashima Resort has been operating since 1966 and was formerly called Nagashima Spa Land. Located in Kuwana, Nagashima Resort features coasters, thrill rides, family-friendly attractions and a water park. In 2024, Nagashima is opening the world’s largest funnel slide. This is made by WhiteWater, a leading waterpark manufacturer.
2019 attendance – 5,950,000
2022 attendance – 4,200,000
9 Ocean Park, Hong Kong, China
Ocean Park is the leading educational theme park in Hong Kong. Since it first opened in January 1977, close to 100 million guests have visited Ocean Park Hong Kong. The park covers more than 915,000 square metres and includes animal attractions, thrill rides and shows. It is operated by the Ocean Park Corporation.
Ocean Park is currently repositioning itself as a resort destination with a focus on conservation and education. This is part of an HK$6.8bn ($876m) overhaul. The HK$4bn ($513m) Water World expansion launched in September 2021.
2019 attendance – 5,700,000
2022 attendance – 1,400,000
10 Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong Disneyland can be found on Lantau Island and opened in September 2005. It covers 310 acres and includes the Hong Kong Disneyland theme park as well as three top hotels. Hong Kong Disneyland is made up of seven themed lands, which are Fantasyland, Adventureland, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, Tomorrowland, Toy Story Land and Main Street, USA.
The park’s new World of Frozen land opened in December 2023. In addition to two new attractions – Frozen Ever After and Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs – the world’s first Frozen-themed land includes dining and retail experiences, and a unique interactive show.
“The Frozen franchise is one of the most successful in Disney history and it’s a testament to the power of great storytelling, which is the foundation of the Walt Disney Company,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger in an opening ceremony.
2019 attendance – 5,695,000
2022 attendance – 3,400,000
11 Happy Valley Beijing, Beijing, China
OCT Group opened Happy Valley Beijing in July 2006. Located in the Chaoyang district, Happy Valley Beijing covers an area of 560,000 square metres and includes attractions and rides as well as cultural offerings and performances. The theme park boasts seven themed areas, more than 100 cultural landscapes and more than 300,000 square metres of gardens.
OCT operates eight Happy Valley theme parks across China. OCT’s first Happy Valley opened in Shenzhen in 1998. OCT Group is the largest theme park developer and operator in China.
2019 attendance – 5,160,000
2022 attendance – 3,740,000
12 Chimelong Paradise, Guangzhou, China
Chimelong Paradise in Guangzhou is owned by the Chimelong Group. It was founded by Su Zhigang in 2006, becoming the group’s first theme park. Chimelong Paradise is part of the Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort, which includes two hotels, Chimelong Water Park, Chimelong Safari and International Circus.
Chimelong Group also operates Chimelong International Ocean Resort in Zhuhai, which features Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. As above, this park opened in March 2014 and offers rides, shows and animal exhibits across eight themed zones. Chimelong Spaceship is the latest addition to the Zhuhai resort.
2019 attendance – 4,905,000
2022 attendance – 2,300,000
13 Universal Studios Singapore, Sentosa, Singapore
Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park at Resorts World Sentosa, an integrated resort on Sentosa Island, Singapore. It is the first and only Universal park in Southeast Asia and has 24 rides, shows and attractions across seven themed zones.
Genting Singapore’s S$6.8 billion ($5bn) expansion of Resorts World Sentosa started in 2021 with Universal Studios Singapore breaking ground on its new Minion land. The first phase of the RWS 2.0 development also includes expanding the S.E.A. Aquarium, which will become the Singapore Oceanarium. A key part of the project is a new Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Singapore.
2019 attendance – 4,500,000
2022 attendance – 2,100,000
14 China Dinosaurs Park, Changzhou, China
China Dinosaurs Park, also known as China Dinosaurs Land, is located in Changzhou and has been open since September 2000. The dinosaur-themed park includes rides, shows and a museum. Jora Vision, a leading design and production company, was responsible for the planning and concept design for this park.
2019 attendance – 4,434,000
2022 attendance – 2,200,000
15 Window of the World, Shenzhen, China
Window of the World is a theme park located in Shenzhen, China. It was developed in collaboration by China Tourism Group and OCT Group, China’s largest theme park developer and operator.
The park boasts eight lands – Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, Americas, World Plaza, World Sculpture Garden and International Street. The site includes entertainment experiences, rides, global scenes, and colourful shows.
2019 attendance – 3,990,000
2022 attendance – 1,100,000
16 Happy Valley Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
Happy Valley Shenzhen opened in 1998 and was the first Happy Valley attraction for OCT Group, the biggest operator of theme parks across China. Covering 350,000 square metres, Happy Valley Shenzhen boasts nine themed areas, including the Playa Maya Water Park.
OCT Group operates eight Happy Valley attractions in China. The group also developed and operates Window of the World, OCT East and Splendid China. OCT hosts nearly 50 million annual visitors at its various sites.
2019 attendance – 3,980,000
2022 attendance – 1,750,000
17 Zhengzhou Fantawild Adventure, Zhengzhou, China
Zhengzhou Fantawild Adventure is part of Zhengzhou Fantawild Resort, which also includes Zhengzhou Fantawild Dreamland, Zhengzhou Fantawild Water Park and the Fantawild Holiday Hotel. Fantawild Adventure opened its doors in 2012 and is owned by Fantawild Holdings.
“Fantawild’s rapid growth in recent years is down to its competitiveness,” Daisy Shang, executive president of Fantawild Holdings, told blooloop in an interview. “Fantawild explores different cultures and presents them to visitors using advanced technology, providing audiences with a unique and immersive experience.”
2019 attendance – 3,840,000
2022 attendance – 1,590,000
18 Happy Valley Chengdu, Chengdu, China
Happy Valley Chengdu opened in January 2009. It was the third Happy Valley offering from the OCT Group, following parks in Shenzhen and Beijing. OCT boasts eight Happy Valley theme parks and is working on its ninth in Zhengzhou. OCT Group’s park portfolio also includes Window of the World, OCT East and Splendid China.
2019 attendance – 3,580,000
2022 attendance – 1,570,000
19 Ningbo Fantawild Oriental Heritage, Ningbo, China
Ningbo Fantawild Oriental Heritage is a high-tech theme park that opened in 2016. It is home to state-of-the-art technology like lasers, special effects and live shows. Fantawild is known for its use of innovative technology at its parks across China.
“The company has developed many unique track rides, vehicles, stages, special effects facilities, robot designs, smart control systems and other interactive entertainment facility systems,” said Daisy Chang, executive president of Fantawild Holdings, a leading one-stop solution provider in the theme park industry.
Fantawild Holdings operates more than 10 Fantawild theme park brands, with more than 30 parks in total. It owns parks including Fantawild Adventure, Fantawild Dreamland, Fantawild Oriental Heritage and Fantawild Water Park.
2019 attendance – 3,575,000
2022 attendance – 1,230,000
