Chimelong International Circus Guangzhou is located at No. 299 East Hanxi Avenue, Panyu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. It is affiliated to Chimelong Tourist Resort Guangzhou, a national 5A-level tourist attraction. It is a top-tier professional permanent circus performance venue worldwide. On June 11, 2014, it was certified by Guinness World Records as the largest permanent circus building. The total construction area reaches 11,435 square meters, including a 960-square-meter performance stage area and a 4,989-square-meter auditorium area. The venue can hold a standard audience of 7,100 people, and its official publicity states that nearly 7,000 spectators can watch shows simultaneously. The venue features an over-100-meter-wide and 50-meter-deep three-dimensional forest real-scene stage with 11 layers of layered backdrops. Equipped with more than 2,000 professional stage lights, a full set of laser equipment and surround sound systems, it creates a 270-degree immersive viewing space. The core feature of the scenic spot is integrating circus performance resources from numerous countries around the world. Adhering to the operation philosophy of Chinese creativity and global integration, it regularly assembles over 300 circus elites from more than 20 countries across Asia, Europe, America and Africa to perform together. It specializes in immersive night circus galas with a full show duration of 90 minutes and no intermission. Serving as a landmark cultural and tourism performance icon of Guangzhou, it has received over 50 million visitors cumulatively as of 2024, with an annual visitor volume exceeding 2 million. The entire venue adopts a unique hemispherical dome architectural design, with supporting auxiliary spaces including circus-themed leisure check-in zones, pet interaction areas, catering shops and tourist service centers. It is a comprehensive cultural and tourism circus venue integrating performance viewing, leisure check-in and parent-child interaction.
History and Culture
In 1999, Su Zhigang, Chairman of Chimelong Group, put forward an integrated cultural tourism route of visiting animal-themed parks by day and watching circus shows at night. The planning and construction of Chimelong International Circus venue officially commenced, establishing the core creative concept of Chinese creativity, global procurement and worldwide production, with a plan to build an internationally renowned circus performance IP with independent intellectual property rights. The venue was fully completed in 2000, and its first repertoire premiered officially on December 28 of the same year. It became the first large-scale permanent circus theater in China introducing performers from multiple countries, filling the domestic gap in high-end circus performances and forming a stable night-time cultural tourism consumption scene shortly after opening.
Between 2003 and 2012, the scenic spot continuously updated its original themed circus repertoires. It invited world-famous circus and film directors successively to create series works including , , and . By integrating diverse elements such as science fiction, nature and oriental aesthetics, it gradually formed an indigenous performance system distinct from overseas circuses. In 2016, the World Circus Federation awarded Su Zhigang the Master of Circus Arts Award, which was presented to a cultural tourism practitioner for the first time, recognizing Chimelong’s achievements in the global communication of circus culture. The venue claimed the Guinness record for the largest permanent circus building in 2014, securing its status as a global circus landmark. On April 15, 2023, the venue hosted its 10,000th public performance, and launched the brand-new upgraded 25th-anniversary repertoire in the same year, innovating original performance forms such as crystal chandelier aerial ballet and rocker stunts to enrich program content.
Over the years, Chimelong International Circus Guangzhou has undertaken the function of Sino-foreign circus cultural exchange. It continuously introduces top-tier circus skills from around the globe while exporting localized original circus choreography concepts, promoting the popularization and family-oriented development of circus art. A comprehensive animal welfare management system is in place; all animal performers in the venue receive training through positive reinforcement without corporal punishment. The venue has passed inspections by international animal welfare organizations multiple times, balancing the ornamental value of performances with animal protection concepts. It has now become one of the core platforms for domestic circus cultural display and international circus artistic exchange.
Main Attractions
Guinness Main Circus Theater
Serving as the core building of the scenic spot, it is the Guinness-certified permanent main circus venue with a highly recognizable hemispherical white dome exterior. Its interior is divided into four major zones: circular auditorium seats, central real-scene stage, aerial wire stunt performance area and circular pool special effect zone. The stage is fitted with movable multi-layer forest real-scene backdrops, paired with real special effects including water mist, fire jets, fireworks and water flows. Equipped with a full set of aerial suspension equipment, it can simultaneously support multiple groups of aerial acts such as aerial flyers, crystal chandelier ballet and magic fire wheels. The auditorium is divided into multi-layer circular areas categorized into three seating tiers: standard seats, premium seats and VIP exclusive seats. Featuring an unobstructed circular layout, every seat offers a complete view of all stage performances. The venue is equipped with professional noise-reducing surround sound and a full-range lighting control system, forming the core viewing space for the full circus gala.
Circus Carnival Themed Check-in Block
An open leisure zone surrounding the entrance of the main theater, the entire block features unified retro circus-themed decor. It houses numerous photo check-in spots including vintage circus carriages, knight motorcycles, giant costume sculptures and cartoon clown installations. Roaming clown interaction booths are set up throughout the block; before showtime, clowns patrol irregularly to interact with visitors and hand out balloons and small gifts. Supporting catering stores and cultural souvenir shops line the block, selling circus peripheral dolls, commemorative badges and themed drinks & light meals. Visitors may relax and wait here after park opening and before the show starts, ideal for families and tourists to take atmospheric themed photos.
Parade Interaction Corridor
A dedicated circular corridor encircling the middle of the main theater auditorium, reserved as the exclusive parade route for performers and clowns. During the mid-show carnival segment, all performers, clowns and animal stars march around the venue along this corridor, waving to visitors on both sides and distributing small gifts at close range. The corridor features ample width, and seats along both sides offer the highest frequency of interactions, making it the supporting facility with the strongest atmosphere in the entire venue.
Tour Route
Scenic Spot Entrance Ticket Checkpoint → Circus Carnival Themed Check-in Block for photos, cultural souvenirs and catering → Main Theater Entrance Security Check and storage of large personal luggage → Enter Main Theater, select assigned viewing seats and wait for pre-show warm-up performances → Watch the full 90-minute circus show → Exit along the Parade Interaction Corridor after the performance ends → Purchase commemorative peripherals at the exit souvenir shop
Travel Tips
- The regular evening session starts ticket checking at 17:00. Visitors are advised to arrive 60 to 90 minutes in advance. Standard seats are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis; early entry allows selection of unobstructed middle-area seats. Additional afternoon sessions with entry at 15:00 are available on weekends, legal holidays and summer vacations, enabling off-peak visits to avoid crowds.
- Visitors seeking close interactions may choose seats on both sides of the central aisle of the auditorium. The first three front rows will be exposed to water spray and fire jet special effects; visitors sensitive to water mist and pyrotechnics should avoid front-row areas. Families with infants are recommended to book premium seats or back rows on the middle floor for milder audio-visual stimulation.
- Children under 1 meter enter free of charge but must be accompanied by an adult, with one seat per person. Children under 3 years old are not recommended to enter the venue, as strong lights and loud audio may cause discomfort. Discount tickets are available for children aged 1 to 1.4 meters, seniors aged 65 and above, and disabled visitors at lower prices than standard adult tickets.
- Purchase tickets in advance through official online channels for priority. Queuing times at on-site ticket windows are lengthy during holidays, and multi-park combo tickets for Chimelong Resort deliver higher cost performance.
- Wear comfortable flat shoes when entering the park, as extensive walking and block parades take place before and after the show. Small amounts of sealed odorless snacks may be brought in; self-heating food, durian and other pungent food are prohibited.
- Turn off mobile phone flash when photographing the performance, as flashes distract aerial stunt performers and pose safety hazards. Non-flash photography is permitted inside the venue; selfie sticks, tripods and other equipment blocking the view of rear audiences are forbidden.
- Queues for shuttle buses are long after the show. Visitors may slowly head for the exit 5 minutes before the 21:00 show ends to reduce waiting time for departure. Self-driving visitors may park vehicles at Parking Lot P12, only a 3-minute walk from the ticket checkpoint.
Precautions
- Selfie sticks, tripods, large suitcases and strollers wider than 50 centimeters are prohibited at security checkpoints. Large luggage and oversized strollers can be stored free of charge at the tourist service center near the entrance and retrieved before departure.
- Flammable and explosive goods, glass bottled drinks, pungent food and bulk snacks in large quantities are banned from entry. Formal catering stores inside the venue provide light meals and drinks for on-site purchase.
- Visitors must not stand arbitrarily, climb guardrails or cross the parade corridor during the show. Do not stand up abruptly during aerial stunt segments to avoid blocking rear audiences and ensure performers’ safety.
- Do not feed self-brought food during animal performance segments. All animals are fed designated exclusive feed, and unauthorized feeding may trigger gastrointestinal illness, which will be dissuaded by staff.
- The venue features frequent lighting, laser, flame and water mist special effects. Visitors with heart disease, hypertension, photophobia or asthma are recommended to sit in mild back-row areas.
- No exit passages are available mid-show, and the full 90-minute performance has no intermission. Elderly visitors and children needing restrooms may use emergency aisles on both sides of the auditorium, but will miss portions of the performance during the trip.
- Free resort shuttle buses operate until 22:30, with metro connecting buses ceasing operation simultaneously. Complete your return trip by shuttle bus before closing time; taxi rides will be required if you miss the last bus.
- Tickets cannot be re-entered once scanned for park access. Visitors who leave midway will not be allowed back into the theater, so complete all shopping and restroom visits before entering the venue.
Transportation
- Metro: Take Guangzhou Metro Line 3 or Line 7 to Hanxi Changlong Station. Exit E to transfer to free resort shuttle buses directly to the circus ticket checkpoint. Exit D offers a 10–15 minute walking route to the venue, with the last shuttle bus departing at 22:30.
- Self-driving: Navigate to Chimelong International Circus Guangzhou. Multiple dedicated parking lots including P8, P9 and P12 are available within the resort. Parking Lot P12 is recommended, a 3-minute walk from the ticket entrance, with a daily parking fee capped at 36 RMB.
- Bus: Take bus routes 129, 303A, Fan 109 or Fan 163 to Hanxi Changlong Bus Stop, then transfer to free resort shuttle buses.
- Inter-resort Transit: Free all-day shuttle buses connect Chimelong Safari Park, Chimelong Paradise and Chimelong Birds Park. Visitors touring other parks during the day may take the shuttle to the circus with no extra fee.
- High-speed Rail Transfer: Visitors arriving at Guangzhou South Railway Station may take Metro Line 7 for one stop directly to Hanxi Changlong Station, or board free direct shuttle buses from Chimelong Resort.
Opening Hours
The scenic spot operates two schedules: regular evening sessions and holiday additional sessions. During off-peak regular evenings, ticket checking opens at 17:00, and the full circus gala officially starts at 19:30 with a runtime of 90 minutes, concluding at 21:00. Supporting check-in blocks and pet parks stay open until 21:30. Additional afternoon sessions are scheduled every summer, Labor Day, National Day, Spring Festival and other legal holidays, with ticket checking starting at 15:00 and shows running from 16:30 to 18:00. Start times may be adjusted on a small number of special dates, such as a 20:00 showtime on certain winter days. Visitors should check the official Chimelong WeChat public account on the day of travel to confirm accurate show schedules. The venue has no fixed annual closing date; temporary suspensions only occur in cases of extreme rainstorms or equipment maintenance, with suspension notices released online in advance offering rescheduling and refund services.
Tickets
Ticket prices start from 280 RMB per person. Search the WeChat official account "欢乐长隆" for the latest updates.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.