Work began in late Decemberon the main project and hotels of the Qingyuan Chimelong International Forest Resort.
LA-based experience design firm TheGoddard Group has been working closely with Chimelong over the last year.This represents phase one ofYinzhan Zone, just one three zones which will make up theQingyuan Chimelong International Forest Resort.It is dueto open in 2019 as a part ofChimelong’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Qingyuan Chimelong International Forest Resort
Twohighlights of the park will bethe88-metre high“Giraffe Castle” (above) and a huge aviary, set to be the world's biggest with a footprint of 5 hectares. Four themed hotels (giraffe, elephant, rhinoceros and zebra) will accommodate up to 3, 500 visitors.Insupport of Chimelong’s development in Qingyuantheonstruction of the maglev train system will be expedited.This10 billion Yuan projectwill becompleted by late2018. Thisenhancement of the transportation system will provide great support for thesuccess of theQingyuan Chimelong International Forest Resort. The first 8km (of the total 30km) to be developed will start at Yinzhan Station in Quangdong, Qingyuan and end at the new resort.
The design of the new resort is a departure from the standard theme park model.The park will benefit from and utilise the topographyand landscape to create three distinct zones. These will beYinzhan Zone, Yingju Zone and Huaqiao Farm Zone.
The initial concepts forthe Yinzhan Zone released by Chimelong, give a tantaslising glimpse ofa unique attraction.
Animals United
To date, many animals have already made the Yinzhan Zone their home. These includeelephants, giraffes and antelopes. Oncethe second and third phases of construction have been completedthe zone will incorporatea breeding and research institution. Plans are also in place for the park to become an important hub for the conservation of the South China Tiger.The Yinzhan zoneis the biggest of the three zones.Styled asas forest and animal theme park, it will boast a"super-scale forest resort" and hotels clusters.
A highlight of theQingyuan Chimelong International Forest Resort will be the 100-hectare entrance plaza. In the centre of this will bea 30-metre high “Animals United” sculpture. This is not dissimilar to the iconicthe 20-metre high stingray sculpture at the entrance of Chimelong Ocean Kingdom.Like the stringray, the scuplture will deliver an instant impact and welcome to visitors arriving at the park.
Adjacent to the entrance plaza will be a 280, 000m2 car park for up to4, 500 cars. A 20, 000m2retail and entertainment zonewill feature liveentertainment together withresturauntsbars, cinemas and shopping.
A Record Breaking Aviary and Castle
The3, 000 hectarephase 1of the forest resort will be completed in three years. Itsiconic 88 metre “Giraffe Castle” will become the tallest building insidea theme park in the world. Furthermore, the5-hectare aviary (top image) will aslo be the world's largest.A“Forest Train” will take visitors throughthe resort , allowing them to get close to the animals . There will also be large-scale forest themed multi-mediashows. With Giraffe Castle taking a central role, these will employ state-of-the-art audiovisual technology. Finally, visitors toQingyuan Chimelong International Forest Resort can also look forward to parades, a5D theatre experience and a large-scale cartoon park.
The four-hotel cluster will housean international conference and exhibition centre.
Finally, a hugewater park is also plannedalong the water boundary surrounding the Yinzhan zone.
Images Chimelong
