China's biggest Harry Potter attraction to open in Shanghai in 2027

Discovery has announced plans to open a new "Harry Potter Studio Tour" location in Shanghai. To deliver the project, it is partnering with Jinjiang International, which officially confirmed the news on its WeChat account.

The new interactive exhibition is expected to open in 2027 on the site of the existing Jinjiang Action Park amusement park. Similar studio tours are already operating in London and Tokyo.

"Visitors are in for an exciting journey behind the scenes of the film saga, offering a deeper immersion into the magical world of Harry Potter," Jinjiang said in its statement.

Details of the new project remain unknown for now, but going by the London version, visitors will be able to see iconic sets from the films, including Diagon Alley, Platform 9¾, the house on Privet Drive, the Hogwarts Express train, and the Ministry of Magic. Guests will also be able to sample signature treats such as butterbeer, chocolate frogs, and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.

According to a statement from WBD published on WeChat, the project will span a total area of around 53,000 square metres and will include a soundstage and an outdoor zone. WBD, the parent company of CNN, noted that this will be the first attraction of its kind in China, with a full visit expected to take about half a day.

Jinjiang Action Park, located in southwestern Shanghai, holds a special place in local residents' memories. It is conveniently located for tourists, about 20 kilometres from Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).

The park is currently undergoing a major renovation. It closed to visitors on 26 January, as operators said it no longer met modern tourist expectations. It is expected to reopen in 2027 with a new concept, centred on an exhibition based on the Harry Potter universe.

Previously, the park's attractions were themed around Chinese culture, but Harry Potter characters are extremely popular in China. The country already has themed bars, cafés, and restaurants, as well as "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" at Universal Studios Beijing. In the Chinese translation, the main character's name is rendered as 哈利波特 (Hālì Bōtè).

The Harry Potter films were among the few foreign productions to face almost no censorship in China, and the characters remain popular with audiences of all ages.

The opening of the new attraction fits with the country's policy of boosting domestic consumption and developing the tourism industry amid slowing economic growth.