by Jiang Xiaowei
Butterbear, a popular Thai character, made its Shanghai debut this month as BFC The Bund Financial Center launched a summer carnival featuring themed installations, interactive attractions and exclusive merchandise along the Bund.
The Butterbear Bakery Workshop opened July 3 as part of BFC's "Wonderland Carnival," one of the featured events under Shanghai's Grand Yuyuan Summer Fantasy Night. Running through mid-August, the exhibition includes indoor and outdoor installations, themed retail experiences, food collaborations and interactive activities.
Organizers have placed 32 Butterbear installations throughout the BFC complex and nearby Bund waterfront. Visitors can explore a doughnut-themed entrance, themed elevators, rooftop displays overlooking the Huangpu River and a Butterbear ice cream cart. A temporary bakery pop-up also offers more than 50 exclusive products.
Butterbear appeared with Bianca, the character's sister, on July 5, marking Bianca's first public appearance in the Chinese mainland. Additional meet-and-greet sessions are scheduled throughout the summer.
Beyond the Butterbear exhibition, BFC's summer program includes a 1,000-square-meter outdoor water park, a dessert market, live music performances and cultural events.
The carnival is part of Grand Yuyuan Summer Fantasy Night, a summer program linking the Bund and Yuyuan commercial districts through evening events, public art installations and cultural activities.
