Sometimes you just feel the need to get out and hit the open road, leave it all behind and go off and see the world. Unfortunately, jobs are increasingly difficult to find and leaving yours may not be wise. Luckily, at Beijing World Park (北京世界公园 | Běijīng Shìjiè Gōngyuán) you can visit pretty much every major world attraction (and some that are a little off the beaten path – like the giant model of what might be an atom that has something to do with Ukraine?) in just a couple of hours and for only 65 kuai (35 for students).

Yes, just 17km from central Beijing are scale models (large ones) of everything from lower Manhattan (with World Trade Center and properly surrounded by water), Stonehenge (reminiscent of the Spinal Tap scene), Japanese pagodas, the Coliseum… if it’s ever graced the cover of a guidebook they’ve got it.

There are performances of world culture (I failed to realize the Chinese in the Brown pajamas were actually playing African tribesman) and a roller coaster that, while not large or fast, is (at least to me) absolutely terrifying. Of course there are also elephants, all sorts of games and snacks, and a 3D movie theater. Recent history buffs will recall that World Park was also one of the 3 official protest zones during the Olympics. I’m not sure what the thinking was or if any protestors actually showed up but if you’re going to spend some time in a cell you might as well see the world first.

I cannot overstate this angle: the photo ops at World Park are out of this world, or, depending on how you look at it, everywhere in this world.

The official Beijing World Park website (Chinese only)
More details including transportation information

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China Explorer > Beijing’s Water Wonderland
China Explorer > The Great Korean Wall of China

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