To celebrate Children’s Day, McDonald’s has opened its first brand museum in mainland China, located in Xiameilin, Shenzhen. Called the “Mai Mai Museum” (McMc Museum), it’s the fourth McDonald’s museum worldwide and the first in China dedicated to the brand’s history—a major milestone for the Golden Arches.
Inside, visitors can explore rare collectibles like early-generation Happy Meal toys, burger boxes from the 1950s, and a replica of the famous “Never-Rot” meal from Iceland, believed to be the only one of its kind still around. There’s also a nostalgia zone featuring items from Shenzhen’s first McDonald’s, including original trays and old PlayPlace meal coupons once used by local families.
To mark the opening, McDonald’s partnered with Shenzhen Metro to launch limited-edition Mai Mai Museum tickets. Modeled after metro trains and decked out in McDonald’s signature red and yellow, the tickets turn an ordinary commute into a collectible piece of pop culture.
Shenzhen was a natural choice for the museum. It’s where McDonald’s opened its first mainland China location in Dongmen, Luohu, on 8 October, 1990. On opening day, lines stretched around the block, making headlines and history. Since then, McDonald’s has grown with the city, expanding from one store to over 800 across the Greater Bay Area. More than a brand retrospective, the Mai Mai Museum is a tribute to Shenzhen’s growth, McDonald’s journey in China, and the memories shared along the way.