Soaking wet, screaming with excitement, kids’ faces lit up with huge smiles… summer is all about wild water play.
What’s it like to plunge down a 21-meter (about nine-story) water slide headfirst? Forget about the fear or the near-urination thrill—what’s most obvious, even to bystanders, is how your square-cut swim trunks instantly turn into a thong under high-speed friction. When visiting the Lihpao Land in Taichung, remember to keep your swimsuit pulled up tight.
■Like a Prank Show Film Set
The most thrilling part of summer is playing in the water, but looking graceful or dignified at Yue Mei is simply impossible—it feels more like a prank show set. Beyond the aforementioned “Speedy Warriors Thong Moment,” there’s also Asia’s most powerful wave-making machine, capable of generating 2.4-meter-high tsunami-like waves; the 2008-introduced “Shark Surfboard” surfing machine lets you ride the waves; and the Wizard Airship is sure to make you scream so loud, you won’t know if it’s saliva or tears streaming down.
The most twisted ride has to be the Broken Rail Roller Coaster in the Adventure Park. Most roller coasters are just fast, faster, fastest—but this one slowly climbs to the top, then… the track breaks. You’re left hanging midair for dozens of seconds as it locks back into place, watching your car shift from horizontal to vertical, staring straight down at the ground as you slowly roast in suspense. By the time your slow descent has completely robbed you of reason and courage, it suddenly plummets straight down to the ground at over 100 km/h. Twisted. Absolutely twisted.
Lihpao Land is one of Taiwan’s major amusement parks, divided into “Marine Bay” Water Park and “Kids Kingdom Adventure Park.” One focuses on water activities, the other on rides and parades—both are wildly exciting, yet both also offer milder options perfect for family fun.
■Bikinis Welcome (No Extra Charge)
To celebrate summer, the Adventure Park has launched the “Water Splash Season,” featuring a water parade and dance shows at 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM daily. With 20 tons of water gushing from over 300 nozzles, it aims to soak visitors within 10 seconds. Weekend evenings also include high-altitude fireworks.
Marine Bay hosts the “Bikini Fantasy Bubble Party,” combining dazzling lights and rock beats to drench guests in bubbles within five seconds. Additionally, from July to August, anyone arriving before 10:00 AM wearing a stylish bikini can enter Marine Bay for free.
(For more travel reports by Chen Zhidong, visit http://blog.chinatimes.com/kaas)