In 1987, Beijing Amusement Park officially opened. It was one of the earliest modern large-scale amusement parks in New China and became a historical footnote of the Beijing municipal government's efforts to introduce new influences. In order to encourage foreign investment, the park was jointly built with Japanese partners, with a total investment of 6.6 billion yen.
In the vibrant atmosphere of the new era, Beijing Amusement Park not only created the largest Ferris wheel in Asia during the 1980s, with its top offering a panoramic view of half of Beijing, but also other projects such as a roller coaster imported from Japan that reached speeds of 80 km/h, a pirate ship, whitewater rafting, and a 4D cinema, all of which gained international recognition. It is not difficult to imagine that the opening of Beijing Amusement Park was a "seismic-level" event for the children of 1980s Beijing.
Xiao Wang, a local Beijinger of 1980s, mentioned that Beijing Amusement Park holds the most sentimental value for him. "I went there during elementary school, middle school, and high school. I would also visit during long vacations. Your understanding of happiness changes before and after visiting Beijing Amusement Park," he said.
Names like "Rock King Kong" and "Storm Riders" may seem outdated now, as well as films from the 1990s like "Flying Centipede" and "Velvet Gloves". However, for an elementary school student at that time, these were unforgettable experiences. "The tickets were expensive, but it couldn't dampen my enthusiasm. We would leave home early and only leave when the park closed. Adults stood in long queues, and we formed our own 'small queues'..." Even today, Xiao Wang's memories are still fresh.
What many children didn't know at the time was that Beijing Amusement Park fell into massive losses soon after its opening. By the end of its second year of operation, it had incurred tens of millions in losses. The reasons included changes in the Sino-Japanese currency exchange rates and mistakes resulting from a lack of business experience.
In 2010, due to operational reasons, among others, Beijing Amusement Park ceased operations. After gathering public opinions, it was decided to preserve the Ferris wheel as a landscape feature in the Longtanzhonghu Park. The blue curved "BEIJING AMUSEMENT PARK" sign at the entrance of the park, along with the worn-out ribbons, star decorations, and small wings, became a few remaining relics.
The park's exterior walls, covered in graffiti and messages, bear the traces of an entire generation's longing for Beijing Amusement Park. Even a gust of wind blowing the Ferris wheel feels like a mirage of the past—a bygone oasis named Beijing Amusement Park.
Translator: ZHAO Huinan
Reviewer: TANG Yingqi
