Wax museum chain Madame Tussauds is set to open in late May or early June in Qianmen, marking their 16th attraction worldwide and 4th location in China, as according to owner and operator Merlin Entertainments.
The company gave Beijingers a preview this week with statues of Leonardo Dicaprio and Johnny Depp standing in front of the future Madame Tussauds’ site. Based on promotional photos on the Beijing location’s website, visitors can also expect to see Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Jackie Chan, Albert Einstein, Fan Bingbing, Kate Winslet, and Yao Ming appearing as wickless candles.
The Beijing site is being built in partnership with property developer SOHO China. “Merlin is one of the world’s most successful and biggest visitor attraction operators and we are delighted to be working with them to bring one of their best known and loved global brands, Madame Tussauds, to Beijing. It will bring a new dimension and international flavor to the Qianmen and Beijing, and we look forward to working with Merlin on more projects in the future," said Pan Shiyi, chairman of SOHO China, and one of the Beijinger‘s 20 Most Interesting People in 2013. No word yet on whether Pan, also a popular blogger, will get waxed.
Based in the UK, Merlin Entertainments has announced its intention not only to expand the Madame Tussauds brand in China but also to bring or expand its other brands here, including Sea Life marine parks and Legoland Discovery Centers.
This photo first appeared on theBeijinger on January 26, 2014.
Photo courtesy of Fotopedia.com
