City's landmark Ferris wheel set to reopen in 2027 at new heights

The Ferris wheel at Shanghai's Jinjiang Action Park, which operated for decades and holds local residents' cherished childhood memories, has officially begun reconstruction at its original site. The landmark is expected to return next year at a new height of 118 meters, 10 meters taller than its previous version, according to the designer and developer of the facility.

Unveiled on Aug 9 at the project's launch ceremony, the new Ferris wheel will feature 36 cabins, each offering panoramic views of the city. Upon completion, it will be the first single-tube Ferris wheel structure in China to stand more than 100 meters tall, the Shanghai Observer reports.

More than an amusement facility offering panoramic views from above, the new Ferris wheel is designed as a three-dimensional cultural tourism landmark that combines sightseeing, leisure and urban tourism, according to the Shanghai Morning Post, citing its designer, Shanghai Institute of Architectural Design and Research Co, affiliated with the Chinese architecture firm Arcplus Group.

The new Ferris wheel's cabins will serve multiple purposes, with some featuring themed restaurants, wedding spaces and small meeting areas.

Once one of the city's most distinctive landmarks, the original 30-meter-high Ferris wheel has created cherished childhood memories for generations of Shanghai residents since the park opened in 1984.

Completed in 2002, the second-generation Ferris wheel stood 108 meters tall, becoming China's first Ferris wheel to exceed 100 meters and the world's third-tallest at the time. It also ranked among the first in China to offer air-conditioned cabins.

Situated in Shanghai's southwest Minhang district, the Jinjiang Action Park was the city's first major amusement park and one of the closest to downtown. To meet upgraded tourism needs, the park announced it would temporarily close in January 2025.

On Feb 12, 2025, Jin Jiang International Holdings Co announced it had signed a joint venture framework agreement with Warner Bros to open a Harry Potter studio tour. Warner Bros Studio Tour Shanghai — The Making of Harry Potter will be located in the renovated Shanghai Jinjiang Action Park.

Scheduled to open in 2027, the theme park will take visitors behind the scenes of the Harry Potter films, bringing their iconic scenes to life. Unlike its counterparts in London and Tokyo, the Shanghai edition will incorporate Chinese elements and offer enhanced interactive experiences powered by digital technology, according to thepaper.cn.

It will be the third Harry Potter-themed attraction in the world, following those in London and Tokyo, and the first of its kind in China.

As part of the park's renovation and upgrade, all existing rides and attractions will be dismantled, with the hotel and Ferris wheel being the only facilities retained.

Zhu Zhengzheng, general manager of the Ferris Wheel (Shanghai) Tourism Development Co, says that the project will prioritize safety and quality.

According to Zhu, construction will be conducted strictly in accordance with all management requirements, and the company will prepare for subsequent operations in advance.

To allow more residents and visitors to witness the development of the new-generation Shanghai grand Ferris wheel, the project operator is considering giving away around 100,000 tickets.