A group of young British visitors from Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, London School of Economics (LSE), and Leeds paid visits to Beijing's Chaoyang district to experience Chinese culture and cutting-edge technology in mid-April. One of their stops included Pop Mart City Playground, or Pop Land, in the capital's Chaoyang Park.
"I had no idea all these characters are under Pop Mart," says Maximilian Camara from Leeds. "Opening the box is full of surprises."
For Otitochukwu Molokwu from LSE, the visit brought unexpected nostalgia.
"I loved the Powerpuff Girls growing up. I didn't know Molly was one of them — and she's in Pop Land!"
She showed off a limited-edition headphone case. "You won't find this anywhere else. That's exciting."
Leaving Pop Mart, Molokwu was struck by Chaoyang Park itself. "The trees, the water — it really feels like a magical kingdom," she says.
"The people are so welcoming. I will definitely come again."
At the Zhongguancun (Chaoyang) Internet 3.0 Park, the British delegation experienced eye-tracking technology designed to assist people with mobility issues, such as ALS. The park has international partnerships with Singapore and Hong Kong, running talent internship programs and facilitating two-way exchanges.
Eshwinder Singh, from Queen Mary University of London, exchanged WeChat with the park's director after a long conversation.
"This trip filled me with ideas, like how Chinese universities collaborate with companies and encourage entrepreneurs," Singh says.
"China focuses on R&D, while the UK builds safeguarding frameworks. They go hand in hand," he adds.
Singh has invited the park's representatives to London: "We can build a platform together."
Chaoyang district is home to nearly every foreign embassy in Beijing, 80 percent of international organizations, more than 60 percent of multinational regional headquarters, and half of the capital's international talent. In 2025, the district's GDP reached 966.9 billion yuan ($141.8 billion).
Singh left Beijing with a WeChat contact and a plan: when the park's director visits London, he will host him at Queen Mary University.
