[Update! Fees have been introduced starting December 2018Up!] Guided tours are now available at a fee of NT$100 per person. For those who just want to experience the slide, the fee is NT$50 per person. Still definitely worth a visit~]
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Kaohsiung’s new attraction, the Hamasen Slide, is now open and free to play with height and age restrictions, parking locations, ticket number procedures, and opening hours all explained in this article. This super-long roller slide is loved not only by kids but also by adults who can’t get enough of it.
CurrentlyTaiwan has four roller slides: the longest in Taiwan is at the Chihyuen Temple Park in Ban-tian Rock, Chiayi; there are also roller slides at Jiafu Temple in Tainan and the Madou Tianhou Temple.We’ve all played on those, and this time we’re heading to Taiwan’s second longest – the Kaohsiung Hamasen Slide.
■ Height and Age Restrictions: 6 years old and above
■ Address: Lane 60, Dengshan Street, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City
■ Opening Hours: Daily 08:30–12:00, 13:30–17:30 (limited to 600 visitors per day, 300 in the morning and 300 in the afternoon; you must draw a number in advance before playing)
■ Ticket Price: Free
※ Notes:Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes, skirts, or high heels, and please use the provided special sliding boards.
Date: 2018.11.17 (Sun)
On a rare family trip to Kaohsiung, our first stop was naturally the city’s newest family-friendly attraction – the “Hamasen Roller Slide”! We had been looking forward to its opening for ages, and finally got the chance to try it out. The whole family was super excited. The Hamasen Slide is located in the historic area of Lane 60, Dengshan Street, and to maintain the peace of local residents, passes are only issued to locals – external vehicles are not allowed to drive into the lane.
The most convenient and nearest parking spot to the lane is to drive past the lane entrance towards the parking lot opposite the “Xiziwan Tunnel Entrance” – it takes about 2 minutes to walk from there to the Hamasen Slide lane entrance.
Walking into Lane 60 of Dengshan Street, a strong sense of the old era greets you. Visiting here for the first time and being unfamiliar with the surroundings, I did some homework beforehand and learned that Lane 60 has played an important role in Kaohsiung’s history.
The area’s history involves key historical figures such as British Consul Swinhoe, Taiwan’s first governor during the Qing Dynasty Liu Mingchuan, and Emperor Hirohito during the Japanese colonial period – all of whom left their mark. Additionally, in the early 20th century, the construction office for the Kaohsiung Harbor land reclamation project was located here. As a result, this site has preserved nearly 70 years of hidden history including century-old roads, waterways, revetments, air-raid shelters, and machine gun bunkers.
If you want to play on the Hamasen Slide, remember the first thing to do when you arrive is to “draw a number”! Due to limited spots, only 300 people are allowed in the morning and 300 in the afternoon. And since there's usually a wait after drawing your number, we headed straight to the sheltered area to get our number and waited.
The Hamasen Roller Slide was free until 2018.11.30, and it’s said that online reservations may be introduced around early December. It’s unclear whether it will remain free, so make sure to visit soon.
Having played on various unique slides across Taiwan, this was the first time I tried one with historical significance. The Hamasen Slide is Taiwan’s first long-distance roller slide that traverses three historic periods: the Qing Dynasty, Japanese rule, and post-war eras, passing through ancient roads and waterways. It sits in what was once Taiwan’s first modern, organized street grid – the earliest community in Kaohsiung to have access to running water, electric lights, telecommunication, and electricity. Designated by the Ministry of Culture, this area has been developed into the “Hamasen Historical Site.” It’s also a military heritage trail, retaining relics from both the Japanese and Qing periods.
(Image source: Internet)
What’s special here is the hilly terrain – a 79-meter-long roller slide has been built using the elevation difference of the hillside. The ups and downs add to the thrill. During your ride, you’ll pass by historical sights such as ancient roads, waterways, revetments, and air-raid shelters. It’s a rare and scenic ride through history.
Once your number is called, each person needs to pick up a special sliding board provided on-site to go up and play. Holding the board, I was so excited – Yo couldn’t wait to run up and give it a try.
The Hamasen Roller Slide is 79 meters long in total, starting at a mid-mountain altitude of 30.5 meters with a height drop of 16 meters to the finish. The average ride lasts about 40 seconds. For safety and comfort, it is currently restricted to those aged 6 and above – luckily we’re all over 6.
The view from the top is truly spectacular. With such a great vantage point, it’s a thrilling ride.
Ready to go Up !
I thought we’d get there pretty quickly, but seeing Yo’s speed, it really wasn’t fast — yet so much fun! The kid was all smiles and super excited the whole time!
It was Daddy’s turn to take over. He came from far away holding a sign, making such a big show of it that I thought for a moment I was seeing Kuo Sz-huai!
Does sliding as an adult have gravitational acceleration? Hehe, it sure felt like we were going faster!
Once you’ve played here, you’ll want to come back again and again. But each person can only draw one number ticket, so we’re leaving the chance for others. Let’s come back next time when we’re in Kaohsiung!
Surprisingly, there wasn’t a long line at the slide in Kaohsiung’s Hamasen area. The ride wasn’t too fast or too slow — just perfect. With not many people around now, take the kids to try it out soon!
[1+1=3 Play, Learn, Live] Authorized Repost | Original Source: [New Family Day Trip Spot Recommended: The Slide in Kaohsiung’s Hamasen]
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