This Day, That Year: Sept 26

Editor's note: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China.

In September 1986, the Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park opened, as seen in this item from China Daily. It had 17 recreational facilities including the capital's second Ferris wheel.

The wheel has been the only one in operation since Beijing Amusement Park closed in 2010.

After nearly 29 years and 9 million riders, the Shijingshan wheel was taken down in 2015 and a new one was built.

In recent years, China has witnessed a theme-park boom.

The Themed Entertainment Association, a tourism and entertainment trade group, projects the country will be home to the world's largest theme park facilities by next year.

A report from World Travel Market last year predicted that theme park-related retail sales are projected to hit $12 billion by next year, up 367 percent compared to 2010.

That translates to 330 million people visiting theme parks by 2020 in the world's second-largest economy.

Disney's first theme park on the Chinese mainland, Shanghai Disney Resort, opened in 2016.

Universal Studios will open an $8 billion Hollywood theme park in Beijing in 2021.

The Chongqing Riverside-Six Flags Theme Town, the first international theme park owned by Chinese, is on course to debut in Southwest China.

Shimao Group and International Merchandising Promotions and Services will bring in first Smurfs-themed park in the Asia-Pacific region. It will be located within the Shanghai Sheshan National Tourist Resort.

The latest-opened is the Lionsgate Entertainment World theme park, located in the Hengqin New Area in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. It opened in July, and is the country's first indoor virtual reality theme park.

International parks are not the only ones enjoying the ride. Domestic brands have also expanded their presence.

The Themed Entertainment Association report identified three Chinese theme park operators: OCT Parks China, Fantawild and Chimelong Group. They have all made it to the top 10 list, in terms of number of visitors last year.

Last year, the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park in Zhuhai attracted 10.83 million visitors.