Nearly forgotten but unexpectedly "revived" in recent years, Jiulong can be considered a legendary amusement park. However, its "resurrection" may come as a surprise to some of its former fans. With the rise of the niche hobby of urban exploration in abandoned places, a large number of people were attracted to its reputation as a "holy land for urban exploration," and it gained popularity on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu with "post-apocalyptic" photo shoots.
Similar to Beijing Amusement Park, Jiulong Amusement Park was also a Sino-Japanese joint venture. However, it was backed by the Beijing Ming Tombs Reservoir Comprehensive Development Company. Leveraging the unique geographical advantage of the reservoir, the park was themed around the concepts of "dragon" and "water," with the island in the center of the lake being its most iconic feature. The 1958 science fiction film "Ballad of the Ming Tombs Reservoir", which depicted the Ming Tombs Reservoir, seems to be the best representation of Jiulong Amusement Park. The floating carousel on the water, when imagined now, seems magical and absurd.
Officially described as a "large underwater observatory-style amusement park with Disney characteristics," Jiulong Amusement Park enjoyed immense popularity when it first opened. Even on weekends, the roads outside the reservoir would become congested due to the influx of visitors. For out-of-town tourists visiting Beijing, after touring the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace, the "Dragon Palace" was also on their itinerary...
Xiao Wang, a local Beijinger of 1980s, remembers that Dragon Palace, as the most expensive attraction, was indeed the most impressive. After all, he was scared to the point of tears when he was a child. "Rather than calling it an amusement park, its style was more like that of a circus from that era." And for some people, the Jiulong Aquarium was their earliest introduction to science: a child growing up in the 1980s entering the exhibition hall, seeing a world map of aquatic life spread out before their eyes, and witnessing various tropical fish swimming in the aquarium tanks, they could feel the excitement of "crossing the Great Wall and reaching any place in the world."
Eventually, Jiulong Amusement Park closed its doors. Now, it lies overgrown with weeds, leaving behind stranded boats, dusty landscapes, and intercepted signs, guarding the childhood secrets of a generation. The decaying Dragon Palace has become a popular destination for a new generation of adventurers. Perhaps, it is a fitting destination for an abandoned amusement park.
Translator: ZHAO Huinan
Reviewer: TANG Yingqi
