What's inside the world's largest maze?

Nestled in the scenic city of Yancheng, Jiangsu in China, the Yancheng Dafeng Dream Maze is the world’s largest maze, as certified by Guinness World Records. The maze spans an impressive 35,596.74 square meters (383,160.12 square feet).

This colossal labyrinth was constructed between April and September 2017, and is a marvel of design and horticulture. The maze’s pathway stretches 9.45 kilometers (5.87 miles), and interestingly enough, it is also a maze with the longest hedge maze pathway and the largest permanent hedge maze. The most prominent feature of the Yancheng Dafeng Dream Maze is the stunning elk-shaped design formed by over 100,000 Juniperus chinensis shrubs. These evergreen shrubs are meticulously trimmed to create dense, green walls. The stunning design is then surrounded by smaller thematic mazes, including a heart-shaped maze, a circular maze, and a children’s maze. A-mazing!The pathways, averaging 1.2 meters wide, twist and turn through the lush greenery, offering both a challenge and a visual delight. Dafeng District, where the Yancheng Dafeng Dream Maze is located, is known for its ecological and cultural heritage, especially the Dafeng Milu Deer Reserve. It took six months for the maze construction to get over, and on June 30, 2018, Guinness World Records officially measured and certified it as the world’s largest maze.Yancheng is known for its biodiversity and conservation efforts, particularly for the endangered Père David’s deer (milu).

Can you guess the inspiration for the stunning elk-shaped design? Culturally, the maze celebrates the region’s heritage while attracting global visitors, boosting tourism in Jiangsu.

(Photo credit: Guinness World Records)The main elk-shaped maze is a challenging one, with its complex pathways. Meanwhile, the children’s maze offers a simpler, family-friendly option. If one is not so much after the maze craze, the viewing towers provide a strategic vantage point through which one can get the panoramic views of the maze’s intricate patterns and the surrounding wetlands.

There are guided tours and maps available for those who need them to navigate the maze.

Best time to visit Yancheng Dafeng Dream Maze

The optimal time to explore the Yancheng Dafeng Dream Maze is during spring (March–May) or autumn (September–November). Jiangsu experiences mild climate and clear skies during these periods. Summers can be hot and humid, while winters, though milder, may see less vibrant foliage. To avoid crowds, go on a weekday.