Window of the World, Shenzhen – Touring the Globe in A Day

World Square features 108 meaningful colonnades and a 1,680-square-meter relief wall that symbolizes global civilization. It also includes six gates representing different cultures: the Chinese Gate, Indian Gate, Islamic Gate, Babylonian Gate, Egyptian Gate, and the South American Sun Gate, all surrounding a panoramic global stage that symbolizes the vast expanse of history.

Among these attractions, the Global Stage is the first panoramic stage in China. Construction began in August 2000 and was completed in 400 days, officially opening on September 28, 2001. The stage comprises over 400,000 movable components, allowing for flexible combinations, assemblies, and transitions. It can accommodate over 10,000 spectators and incorporates advanced stage construction technology and a high-tech automated control system. By day, the stage takes the form of a silver-gray oval globe representing the world map. As night falls, the globe gently opens to reveal a large stage, with the back and top of the stage fully opening during climactic performances.

Eiffel Tower: The replica Eiffel Tower in the Europe Zone is built to a scale of 1:3, standing at 108 meters tall and using 1,000 tons of steel. It features approximately 165,000 rivets and bolts, accurately recreating the shape and details of the original. The prototype Eiffel Tower, constructed in 1887, was designed by Gustave Eiffel for the World Expo to showcase the power of the French Empire.

Arc de Triomphe: The Arc de Triomphe replica serves as the best viewing spot for the Eiffel Tower’s light shows. The original Arc de Triomphe is located in the center of Paris on the Champs-Élysées and was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte. It stands as a national symbol of France and one of the four representative buildings of the country, commemorating victories such as the Battle of Austerlitz. The original Arc serves as a grand entrance for returning armies, celebrating their triumphs.

Katsura Imperial Villa: The replica of Katsura Imperial Villa at Window of the World allows visitors to experience the luxury of the Japanese imperial family, as well as traditional Japanese tea ceremony and flower arrangement cultures. The original Katsura Imperial Villa, known as Katsura Rikyū, is a villa located alongside the Katsura River in the Nishikyo Ward of Kyoto, Japan. It spans 6.94 hectares and was built in 1620.

Chinese God of War Statue: The Chinese God of War statue in Window of the World represents a guardian deity known for driving away evil spirits. This statue depicts a Tang Dynasty warrior and is a reproduction of a famous artifact unearthed in Gansu Province, exemplifying the artistic achievements of the Tang Dynasty.

Niagara Falls: The replica of Niagara Falls at Window of the World spans over 80 meters wide with a drop of more than 10 meters, showcasing a spectacular flow of water. The original Niagara Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is located on the border between the United States and Canada, between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, with a total width of 1,240 meters and an average drop of 51 meters.

Mount Rushmore: The replica of Mount Rushmore at Window of the World is modeled after the original Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, USA. This iconic monument features the carved faces of four U.S. presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln – each of whom made significant contributions to the development of the United States. The monument is located on the granite face of Mount Rushmore at an elevation of 1,524 meters.

Sydney Opera House: The replica of the Sydney Opera House at Window of the World is modeled after the original located in Sydney, Australia. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the iconic structure sits on a granite pedestal 19 meters above sea level and covers an area of 1.8 hectares. The highest shell peak reaches 60 meters above sea level, with a total construction area of 88,000 square meters.

Sydney Harbour Bridge: The replica of the Sydney Harbour Bridge at Window of the World is based on the original bridge in Sydney, Australia. Built in 1923 and designed by Queensland engineer John Bradfield, this iconic bridge spans the Sydney Harbour and connects the northern and southern parts of the city. The original bridge is a single-arch steel bridge with a length of 1,149 meters and a height of 59 meters above sea level, allowing large vessels to pass beneath.

Pyramids: The replica of the pyramids at Window of the World is modeled after the Giza pyramid complex in Egypt. These pyramids served as tombs for ancient Egyptian pharaohs, and their shape resembles the Chinese character for “gold” (金) from all four sides, leading to their common nickname in China. There are approximately 80 pyramids in Egypt, with the largest, known as the Great Pyramid of Giza, located about 10 kilometers south of Cairo.

Bride’s Veil Waterfall: The replica of the Bride’s Veil Waterfall at Window of the World is inspired by the famous waterfall in Africa, located in Guinea, near the city of Kindia. Known for its stunning beauty, the original waterfall is often referred to as the “Water Tower of West Africa.”

Continental Style Street: Located on the west side of Window of the World, Continental Style Street features European-style buildings with pink walls and red-tiled roofs lining both sides. Originally part of the park’s internal landscape, this area became a free attraction in 2007 to facilitate access to the newly opened ice and snow venue.

Melania Town: Melania Town is a newly developed commercial district at Window of the World, retaining the original European architectural style while incorporating a diverse range of shopping, leisure, and entertainment experiences. The aim is to create a trendy commercial area that combines shopping, dining, and cultural experiences. The district includes shops such as a Prague gift shop, creative culture stores, and gourmet food outlets.

“Grand Century”: Premiered in 2018, “Grand Century” is the concluding installment of a large-scale musical dance epic trilogy, following “Genesis” and “Cross-Century.” This performance showcases the essence of Central Plains culture while integrating the cultural highlights of various ethnic groups, such as the Tibetan and Mongolian cultures from the grasslands, plateaus, and snowy regions.

“Fantasy Europe”: Launched in 2020, “Fantasy Europe” is the first live-action 3D mapping show at Window of the World. Utilizing advanced technology, the performance combines light and music to tell mythological stories from ancient Greece, depict the noble lifestyle of the Baroque period, and illustrate pastoral life in European towns. Through a holographic sound system, the lighting fluctuates in rhythm with the music, merging art and technology.

Shenzhen Window of the World International Beer Festival: The International Beer Festival at Window of the World is one of its most distinctive brand events. Since its inception in 1996, the festival has successfully hosted 29 editions as of June 2024. This large-scale event combines elements such as beer exhibitions, rock music performances, and dining, making it a comprehensive celebration of beer culture, theme park culture, and the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.

Ice and Snow Festival: The Ice and Snow Festival is a major winter amusement event at Window of the World and is the flagship brand for “Winter Travel in Shenzhen.” This festival coincides with Christmas, New Year’s, and the Spring Festival, featuring special events such as a Christmas fireworks display, a New Year’s music gala, and a New Year’s ice and snow carnival parade.

WoW Trendy Music Carnival: The WoW Trendy Music Carnival is a music festival held at Window of the World. During the festival, over a hundred performances, including shows like “Exodus” and “Taj Mahal Love Song,” take place throughout the park. Popular bands, electronic music parties, and interactive activities featuring clowns and stilt walkers are also part of the vibrant atmosphere.

International Street Art Festival: Launched in 2019, the International Street Art Festival is a cultural arts event held during the Spring Festival at Window of the World. The festival features performances such as drumming, acrobatics, international street artists, and parades, creating a lively cultural experience for visitors.