STORY: Tourists and residents in Shanghai on Saturday (July 5) braved the sweltering heat to experience the opening day of China's first Legoland resort built with over 85 million Lego bricks.

Shanghai's meteorological observatory issued on Saturday morning an "orange" high-temperature alert, the second-highest in China's weather alert system, behind red. Parts of the country's eastern and central provinces are bracing for temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius due to an early summer heatwave.

"It is expected that the maximum temperature in the central and western areas of Shanghai will exceed 37°C today, and the maximum temperature in other areas will exceed 35°C," the observatory warned.

Despite the alert, entry tickets to the new Legoland resort were sold out as thousands queued in the heat to try out more than 75 rides, performances, and attractions spanning over 300,000 square meters.

While most visitors were upbeat, one complained to Reuters that the long queues outside to enter the venue were poorly organized. Staff handed out bottles of water to visitors while one visitor received medical attention due to the heat.

Legoland Shanghai is operated by a joint venture between Merlin Entertainments, which runs Legoland parks around the world, and the Shanghai Jinshan District local government.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: SHANGHAI, CHINA (JULY 5, 2025) (REUTERS - Access All)

1. LEGOLAND SHANGHAI OPENING CEREMONY

2. LEGO CEO, NIELS B. CHRISTIANSEN, AT LEGOLAND SHANGHAI OPENING CEREMONY

3. GIANT LEGO HEAD

4. VARIOUS OF VISITORS ENTERING THE PARK

5. VARIOUS OF STAFF GREETING VISITORS

6. STAFF HANDING OUT WATER BOTTLES TO VISITORS

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 9-YEAR-OLD SHANGHAI RESIDENT, ROCKY XU, SAYING:

“It’s really hot, but it’s still a lot of fun here. Since we brought an electric fan, so the heat actually feels manageable."

(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 40 YEAR OLD SHANGHAI RESIDENT, CATHY YIN, SAYING:

“The enthusiasm of the staff here makes us feel like the heat is okay all. And we really liked today’s opening ceremony gift (Lego hand), we came specially for it!"

8. VARIOUS OF VISITORS ENTERING LEGOLAND SHANGHAI

9. VARIOUS OF CHILDREN EATING ICE CREAM

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 30-YEAR-OLD SHANGHAI RESIDENT, TAO XIAOQING, SAYING:

“Today is so sunny, gosh! I really want to use an umbrella, but that (the weather) still didn’t stop me from coming to Legoland.”

REPORTER ASKING: Why is that?

“It’s the grand opening, of course I had to come. I visited during the soft opening, and it was pretty good, but there were a lot of people and I didn’t get to try many of the rides”

11. VARIOUS OF ROLLER COASTER RIDE

12. VARIOUS OF CAROUSEL RIDE

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 28-YEAR-OLD SHANGHAI RESIDENT CHARLIE CHEN SAYING:

“Today’s weather is overall okay, there’s a breeze. Even though the sun is strong, there are plenty of air-conditioned areas and water stations inside the park, so it’s still quite comfortable for a visit.”

14. CHILD PLAYING WITH WATER FOUNTAIN

15. FOUNTAIN MADE OF LEGOS

16. VISITOR RECEIVING MEDICAL ATTENTION FROM HEAT

17. MEDICAL BAG

18. VARIOUS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS PLAYING WITH LEGOS IN GIFT SHOP

19. VARIOUS OF VISITORS TAKING PHOTO AT LEGOLAND SHANGHAI ENTRANCE

20. LEGOLAND SHANGHAI ENTRANCE SIGN