The four-metre-tall "Super TINO", a robot version of the elephant kept at the original Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park is "fed" with replica bananas by visitors on June 25, 2015. Photo: Nora Tam

The park's Lai Yuen Super Summer 2015 launched at the Central Harbourfront on Lung Wo Road in Central on June 15, 2015. Photo: Nora Tam

Robocon Cake, a four-storey cake tower built using 66 Robocon figures to celebrate the 66th anniversary of Lai Yuen, is showcased during a press tour this month. Photo: Nora Tam

Players wile away time at the game booth "Creamy Mami" during a press tour on June 25, 2015. Photo: Nora Tam

Lai Yuen Castle marks the entrance of the revived amusement park. Photo: Nora Tam

Children enjoy a ride at the Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park in 1972. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Game stalls pictured in 1972. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Women ride a mini-Ferris Wheel in October 1972. Photo: SCMP Pictures

A general view of the park in the 70s. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Visitors having a day of fun at the park in May 1972. Photo: SCMP Pictures

A traditional house replica, pictured in 1976, was one of the attractions at the park. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Ice skaters show off their skills at Lai Chi Kok on August 13, 1983. More than 79 ice skaters competed in the preliminary round of the Third Hong Kong Ice Skating Open, hosted at the park, which had the city's first rink. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Workers moving Mr Very Smart, a Thai crocodile which has been living in Lai Chi Kok Zoo, out of its cage it on November 1, 1989. It was shipped back to Thailand after three months in Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Mr Smart, one of the largest crocodiles in the world, on display at Lai Chi Kok on August 21, 1989. The six-metre reptile lost his appetite in Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Two giraffes at Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park, on August 18, 1992. Photo: SCMP Pictures

A leopard rests inside its cage at the Lai Chi Kok Zoo on April 3, 1992. Photo: SCMP Pictures

A camel at the Lai Chi Kok Zoo, pictured on April 3, 1992. Photo: SCMP Pictures

A crane at the Lai Chi Kok Zoo, pictured on March 27, 1992. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Two Siberian tigers, pictured on October 12, 1990, have different reactions to the camera. They lived in a heated enclosure at an Amsterdam zoo before arriving in humid Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Two kangaroos at the Lai Chi Kok Zoo on August 10, 1990. Photo: SCMP Pictures

The Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park's trainer Jack and its two new Burmese elephants on January 22, 1990. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Children enjoy themselves in the Snow Garden on August 28, 1997, a year before the park closed. The winter sports and entertainment centre featured real snow and was opened by Taiwanese firm East Lord International. Photo: SCMP Pictures

A distorting mirror reflects the demolition works at the park after its closure on August 28, 1997. Photo: SCMP Pictures

The Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park on its last day on March 31, 1997. It would be nearly two decades before one of the owner's sons would resurrect the park. Photo: SCMP Pictures

The Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park on its last day, on March 31, 1997. It would be nearly two decades before one of the owner's sons would resurrect the park. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Hong Kong

IN PICTURES: Before and After - Hong Kong's historic amusement park Lai Chi Kok reopens after 18 years

Alan Yu

Published: 1:30pm, 26 Jun, 2015

Updated: 1:54pm, 26 Jun, 2015