Joanna James
Spend a day of fun and entertainment with your family and friends. Whether you are young or young at heart China has some amazing theme parks that you can enjoy.
The largest theme park in Hong Kong, Ocean Park attracts over five million visitors annually. The best thing about the park is that it has adrenalin-pumping rides and thrills for adventure seekers, aquariums and animal interaction areas as well as live shows for those who prefer something a bit toned down. Holidaymakers should make sure to keep one whole day dedicated to spending time at Ocean Park. The two main parts of the park are Marine World and Thrill Mountain. As the name suggests Marine World is part of the park that is all about the ocean. The Thrill Mountain is the zone, for thrill-seeking, adventure enthusiasts looking for some adrenaline pumping activities. Visitors can dangle off a cliff, take a high-speed rollercoaster ride, experience a hair-raiser and enjoy some sensational joyrides.
The best time to visit the park - The ideal time to go is during the warm and dry season in Hong Kong. It is recommended to avoid going there from 1st to 7th October since a massive number of visitors go during that period when it's China's National Day.
Shanghai Disney is the sixth Disney theme park in the world. Built on a massive piece of land it has a number of attractions including the Disney Town with food and entertainment, shopping opportunities and top-notch hotels. There are six themed areas including the Gardens of Imagination, Mickey Avenue, Adventure Isle, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and Treasure Cove. Shanghai Disney has the biggest Disney castles in the world.
Travel tip – To avoid massive crowds go there on a weekday and purchase a Fastpass ticket to avoid long queues. Wearing comfy shoes can make your experience a whole lot better.
Happy Valley takes pride as being Shanghai's first biggest theme park. The rides here are amazing and can easily be kept on par with the ones available in western countries. Located close to Shanghai's city center, the park has lots of scenic landscapes and is very airy. Built on a 200-acre plot of land the park boasts of seven themed areas which are Happy Times, Gold Mine Town, Sunshine Beach, Typhoon Bay, Shanghai Beach, Ant Kingdom, and Shangri-la Woods. You also find China's first-ever wooden roller coaster here.
When to go – The Shanghai Happy Valley opens daily from 9 am to 6 pm. Most rides close by 5.30pm.
If roller coasting is your thing then Lewa Adventure Park is your go-to place. The first roller coaster themed park in China and the biggest in Asia, it is home to eight varieties of rollercoaster rides. There are six theme areas in the park including Echo Valley, Megalith and Mountain, Panda Farm, Forest with Stars, Moon Lake and Joyful Plaza.
Getting there – If you are staying in hotels in Xian, which is the closest main district to the park, you can travel by the free shuttle bus that travels daily. Make sure you find accommodation at a reliable place such as Grand Park Xian if staying in Xian district.
Say Hello to the most loved feline of Japan at the Hello Kitty Anji theme park. The rides at the park are all themed according to the main character however you must note that this is quite a small park in comparison to the ones above. Its famous because of the beloved Kitty character it is based on.
Travel tip - It's ideal for families travelling with little kids
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
