HONG KONG: SNOOPY'S WORLD in SHATIN

HONG KONG: SNOOPY'S WORLD in SHATIN

With Joe Cool on his skateboard

It's cool to be with Joe Cool, the alter ego of Snoopy, in Snoopy's World.

Snoopy's World is another off-the-beaten-path destination in Hong Kong, the land of cool weather! 

Opened in 2000, Snoopy's World (also known as Snoopyland) is a small park where you can see for FREE more than sixty (60) different statues of Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the "Peanuts" gang. Yes, there is NO ENTRANCE FEE to Snoopy's World.

Linus cooked something delicious

A word of caution though. This is not a place where you go to as your only destination in Sha Tin (also spelled Shatin) area. When we went there, we also climbed up to the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery, and walked around/ window-shopped at IKEA Sha Tin and New Town Shopping Mall. 

So don’t expect too much from it. Visiting Snoopy's World, as they say, is just a break from shopping or if you have kids, it is a place for them to experience being with the "Peanuts" characters. 

At any rate, the kids and the kids-at-heart will love taking their pictures with Snoopy, Charlie Brown and others. 

Many people are not aware of this park which is located on the 3rd level podium of New Town Shopping Mall in Sha Tin, Hong Kong. There used to be two tennis courts in this area before being converted to Snoopy's World.

You can find Snoopy's World by walking through the New Town Plaza shopping mall, which can be accessed directly from the (East Rail Line) MTR Sha Tin station (Exit A). Just follow the signage to Snoopy's World or ask for directions to the 3rd level podium once you get to New Town Plaza mall.

You can enter the Snoopy's World through the Doghouse Entry which is actually Snoopy's house. Just like in the cartoon strip "Peanuts," you can see a big model of Snoopy leisurely enjoying the sunshine on the roof of his doghouse. TRIVIA: It is the largest outdoor model of Snoopy in the world.

The Entrance to Snoopy's World

Remember not to go on weekends when there are lots of people in Snoopy's World.

In the above picture is the school bus at the School Plaza of Peanuts Academy. In front the school bus are (from left) Sally Brown, Charlie Brown and Linus van Pelt.

Gathered grilling their marshmallows near the Boating Canal are 

(from left to right) Schroeder, 

Peppermint Patty, Marcie and Linus van Pelt.

Charlie Brown and Snoopy fishing along the bank of the Boating Canal

Entrance to Snoopy's World is FREE but in order to avail of the Canoe Ride along the Boating Canal, you need to present a receipt as proof of purchase of over a certain amount (HK$100, I think) from any of the shops in New Town Plaza mall. The Canoe Ride takes about 3 minutes. Take note that there are certain weight limitations in this ride. The ride is slow and during weekends, the queue to the Canoe Ride will be quite long. So, it is advisable to take the ride on a weekday.

"Peanuts" characters

The late cartoonist Charles Monroe Schulz created the "Snoopy" character in his cartoon serial "Peanuts" in 1950. He died in 2000, the same year when Snoopy's World opened in Sha Tin. 

Here are some of the famous "Peanuts" characters created by Charles Schulz:

1. Snoopy is Charlie Brown's lovable beagle (dog).

2. Woodstock, the yellow bird and Snoopy's best friend and side kick, is named after the famous rock festival.

3. Charlie Brown, the main character, is a lovable guy dominated by insecurities. He is meek, nervous and lacks self-confidence. He is unable to fly a kite, win a baseball game or kick a football. Aptly, the theme of the cartoon serial is "the great American unsuccess story."

4. Sally Brown is the younger sister of Charlie. She displays her being territorial by seizing her brother's bedroom or by making sure that no other woman ever lays eyes on Linus.

From Left: Peppermint Patty, Lucy van Pelt, Marcie, Woodstock, Snoopy,
Charlie Brown, Sally Brown and Linus van Pelt

5. Linus van Pelt is Charlie's blanket-toting best friend and Sally's love interest. His blanket is, literally and actually, his "security blanket."

6. Lucy van Pelt, Linus' older sister, is a bossy and crabby (irritable) girl. 

7. Schroeder is a piano-playing character, Lucy's love interest, admirer of the great classical pianist-composer Ludwig van Bethoven and Charlie's second best friend after Linus. Schroeder has short blond hair. He almost always wears a striped shirt and either black or blue shorts. He is commonly seen playing his toy piano. His address is 1770 James Street, which is easy to remember for him because the number 1770 is Beethoven's birth year. Beethoven was a lifelong bachelor, and Schroeder feels he must emulate every aspect of his idol's life. Schroeder's constant refusal of Lucy's love is a constant theme in the cartoon serial. 

8. Marcie is the bespectacled character, best friend to tomboy Peppermint Patty (Patricia Reichardt), and displays romantic interest on Charlie Brown.

9. Franklin is the African-American boy who became a friend of Charlie Brown.

Along Peanuts boulevard in the Mini town area, you can see various buildings like the post office, bank and that of Brown Bros. which, as you will notice, has shown cracks probably caused by that girl in the above picture. Hahahaha!

Here, Charlie Brown is sitting on a couch watching TV . . . with me. 

Opening hours: from 10 am to 8 pm (Monday to Sunday). Gate closes at 7:45 pm. 

Enjoy!