Weihai Studio Review: Is This Seaside Theme Park Worth It?

Hey everyone! EunSusu here.

When planning a trip to Weihai, China, I bet many of you are putting the famous photo-worthy Sunset Castle on your itinerary, right?

While looking for other cool places to visit nearby,

I stumbled upon a spot called Weihai Studio and decided to check it out. Here is my honest review of the experience!

1. What is Weihai Studio?

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Opened in 1997, Weihai Studio is a massive, fairytale-themed filming set. Directly funded and built by CCTV (China Central Television), it is recognized as one of China's top four filming bases.

Set right along the coastline, it features European-style castles and ancient fortress-like structures. Rather than a dusty movie set, it feels more like a cute, quirky theme park!

That said, the facilities are a bit run-down, so reviews tend to be mixed. Many travelers end up visiting here because they're looking for other attractions near Sunset Castle.

2. Amap (Location), Admission, & Hours

Since Weihai Studio is quite large, multiple locations pop up on Amap (Gaode Map). I've linked the parking lot near the main entrance below to help you find your way easily!

Operating hours are from 08:30 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:00, so keep that in mind when planning your day!

There is a ticket booth right next to the entrance. Once you buy your ticket, the staff will open the gate for you.

The admission fee was 60 RMB (about $8 USD) per person.

Honestly, it felt quite pricey considering the state of the facilities inside.

While it's a convenient stopover on your way to Sunset Castle (the must-visit photo spot in Weihai), I highly recommend keeping your expectations low!

3. My Honest Experience

As soon as you walk in, you'll probably get the feeling that the place is a bit dated and not very well-maintained.

Still, I love exploring every nook and cranny when I travel, so despite the steep ticket price, I decided to head in anyway.

With its European-style castle walls and charming old-town structures, it's actually a pretty decent place for photos on a clear, sunny day.

There were almost no tourists around, so it felt like I had rented out the entire park for myself! It was great for taking photos at a relaxed pace.

As we walked a bit further in, we spotted a few young local couples enjoying the bumper cars in a spot we thought was completely deserted.

The flowers were actually quite well-maintained, making it a nice spot for a light, breezy stroll.

With various cute character statues and whimsical castles scattered around, it's definitely worth a quick visit if you love taking photos!

As you walk a bit further inside, the overall theme starts to come together. It is looking a little dated, but with a fresh makeover, it could really shine!

While looking around, a staff member waved me over, and before I knew it, I ended up stepping into the 5D Experience Theater.

They check your ticket and punch a hole in it to let you in—such a classic touch!

I put on the 3D glasses to watch, and while the facilities were definitely on the older side, it felt like taking a nostalgic trip back to an old-school amusement park, which I actually quite enjoyed.

Once the experience was over and I walked out, I noticed the character statues in front had peeling paint and seemed completely neglected.

As I wandered around, I stumbled upon my own secret photo spot. Taking a photo here actually gave off some major VinWonders Nha Trang vibes!

The backdrop looked so pretty, so I quickly snapped a photo and kept moving.

Heading further in, there was a playground. They even had a maze, and I had a blast running through it, feeling like a kid again!

There was another attraction called "Dynamic Cinema," which runs on a specific schedule. Luckily, my timing was perfect, so I walked right in to check it out.

This one didn't require 3D glasses, but the seats moved around to simulate a roller coaster ride. It honestly felt like stepping straight into the 1980s.

What do you think? It might make you feel a little dizzy. The only downside was that the screen was a bit blurry and hard to see.

After this, I felt like I'd explored enough and headed out. Up next: making my way over to the Sunset Castle!

4. Who is this place for?

​This spot is worth a visit if you:

• Want to check out another spot near Sunset Castle

• Love nostalgic, retro amusement park vibes and quiet photo spots

However, I wouldn't recommend it if you:

• Are expecting state-of-the-art rides like modern theme parks

• Have a packed schedule at Sunset Castle with no time to spare (especially since the 60 Yuan (approx. $8) entry fee might feel like a waste given how dated the facilities are)

If you're like me and love exploring every nook and cranny while traveling, you might find it quite charming. Otherwise, it's probably skip-worthy.

I hope this helps anyone looking for interesting spots to visit near Sunset Castle!

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