Travel Notes Tianjin Fantawild: A High-Tech Park of Sci-Fi and Animation
Tianjin Fantawild lies in the Sino-Singapore Eco-City of the Binhai New Area, opened in July 2014 as the northern flagship of Huaqiang Fantawild. Covering about 400,000 square metres with an investment over 2 billion yuan, it is a national 4A scenic area whose selling point is “technology + culture”.
Stories told with technology
Unlike a classic mechanical park, Fantawild leans on virtual reality, augmented reality and 4D motion. The signature “Flight of Fantasy” is a suspended dome theatre that “flies” you over ten of China’s great sights in eight minutes; the dome underfoot makes you forget you are in a cinema. “Blue Earth” uses a roughly 400-square-metre ring screen to tell the grand epic of life on Earth. These rides win on immersion rather than height and speed, and are kinder to those who get motion sick.
Magic, myth and animation
“Magic Castle” turns cartoon magic into a walkable set, with light, shadow and gadgets building layer on layer; “Crash the Crystal Palace” retells a myth with motion tech in an undersea battle. The park’s own “Boonie Bears” IP lands here as a children’s zone, with gentle rides like a carousel and a little train made for the youngest — a safe anchor for families.
Planning a day
The park splits into sci-fi, animation and Chinese-culture themes, with short walks between projects. Hit the popular Flight of Fantasy and Magic Castle right at opening, catch an indoor show at noon to dodge the sun, and spend the afternoon with the kids in Boonie Bears. Added in 2016, “Flaming Clouds” mixes a rotating dome with live sets — thrill fans can re-ride it toward evening.
Eating and resting
Dining inside is mostly fast food and themed restaurants, priced like comparable parks. The Eco-City is new with amenities still growing, so bring a water bottle and travel light. Queue outdoors in summer with sun protection; in winter the indoor projects are the comfortable choice.
Practical information
- Tickets: about 220 yuan for adults, child/senior discounts (official rates).
- Hours: weekdays about 9:30–17:30, extended on weekends and holidays.
- Getting there: drive from the city via the Jingjin or Binhai expressway to the Eco-City; or intercity to Binhai station then bus/taxi — a longer trip.
- Time needed: popular rides queue, so allow a full day.
- Best season: many indoor projects, so it works year-round; summer holidays and holidays are busiest — arrive early for the hits.
- Combine: also in Binhai are the Aircraft Carrier Theme Park and the Binhai Library for a one- or two-day coastal line.
Related reading
Tianjin Happy Valley: A Twin Park of Thrills by Dongli Lake
Tianjin Happy Valley sits in the Dongli Lake resort and is OCT's large North-China theme park, open since 2013. Six land zones plus a separate water park draw over three million visitors a year — good for families and young crowds alike.
Dule Temple: The Liao-era Guanyin Pavilion Liang Sicheng Called a Priceless Treasure
Dule Temple, also the Great Buddha Temple, stands in Jizhou, Tianjin, among the oldest surviving wooden high-rise pavilions in China and one of its three great Liao-dynasty monasteries. Its heart, the Guanyin Pavilion, rises 23 metres and shelters a eleven-faced clay Guanyin 16 metres tall — the largest ancient clay Guanyin image extant. The architect Liang Sicheng called it a priceless treasure.
Tianjin TV Tower: The 415m Eye of the City above Tian Ta Lake
The Tianjin TV Tower (Tianjin Radio & TV Tower) stands 415.2 metres tall; when completed in 1991 it led Asia, and still ranks among the continent's tallest. Its pod at 248–278 m holds an observation hall, a revolving restaurant and an open deck, ringed by Tian Ta Lake — a fine perch over the city.
Huangyaguan Great Wall: The Bagua Fortress Rebuilt by Qi Jiguang
At the northern tip of Jizhou, Tianjin, Huangyaguan was first built in the Northern Qi and rebuilt by the Ming general Qi Jiguang. Its water gates, watchtowers and octagonal Bagua fortress make a complete defensive system; from the pass the hills roll like waves and the wall winds like a dragon.
Tianjin Eye: The Ferris Wheel Built on a Bridge
The Tianjin Eye, formally the Yongle Bridge Ferris Wheel, stands at the Three Confluences of the Hai River and is the only ferris wheel in the world built on a bridge. Its 110-metre wheel carries 48 transparent cabins; one turn takes about 28 minutes and the top offers a 360-degree view of the city and river.