originally posted on 4/17/2023 6:12:00 PM
When you hear the words “amusement park,” what comes to mind? Perhaps something along the lines of a gated-off area filled with pathways, concession stands and thrill rides?
Amusement parks can be found all over the world, but what visitors expect and enjoy from their local parks varies significantly by continent. For example, parks in Europe are so distinct from their Asian counterparts — but how exactly are they different,
and what facilitated these deviations? In this series, the traits of amusement parks across the world will be compared and contrasted, continuing with China and Japan.
The Grand-Scale Theme Parks of China
Since 2000, nearly all of the newest theme parks worldwide have opened in China. This is a result of the Chinese middle class boom, which has created a massive demand for leisure opportunities and entertainment in China. Built and owned by corporate chains
such as the OCT Group, Fantawild and Sunac China Holdings, Chinese parks blend high-quality theming with modern rides. Just as North America has the Six Flags chain, China has the Happy Valley chain. These attractions are built by both native Chinese
and Western manufacturers. While China’s rides aren’t as daunting or massive as their American or European equivalents, they often provide unique and cutting-edge experiences, a benefit of their recent construction and novelty.
Happy Valley Shanghai of Songjiang, Shanghai — opened in 2009.
Photo: Lisa Scheinin. View full-sized image.
Lewa Adventure of Xianyang, Shaanxi — opened in 2015.
Photo: Courtesy of China Dragon Tours. View full-sized image.
Hefei Sunac Land of Hefei, Anhui — opened in 2016.
Photo: Lisa Scheinin. View full-sized image.
Chinese parks are often larger scale, with loads of scenery; however, they don’t have as many rides as North American or Japanese amusement parks. Because of this, theme parks in China are less dense and more spacious. Their epic scale is rivaled by few
other parks in the world.
Shanghai Disneyland of Pudong, Shanghai — opened in 2016.
Photo: Lisa Scheinin. View full-sized image.
Ocean Park of Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong — opened in 1977.
Photo: Courtesy of Variety. View full-sized image.
Happy Valley Beijing of Chaoyang, Beijing — opened in 2006.
Photo: Lisa Scheinin. View full-sized image.
The Oddball, Fascinating Thrill Parks of Japan
Though it doesn’t have as many amusement parks as Europe or North America, Japan sports a disproportionate amount of the crazy and unique thrill rides on Earth. Like those in North America, most Japanese amusement parks opened between the 1960s and 1980s,
and they favor thrills over theming. Many of these parks have eccentric, vibrant color schemes and rather quirky storylines for their attractions. Particularly notable examples include river rafting through a ramen factory, launching to the beat of
a powerful taiko drum or playing an interactive rhythm game while spinning.
Yomiuriland in Inagi, Tokyo — home to Bandit, a megacoaster that dives into a nine-story ravine (plus that river rapids through a ramen factory — Splash U.F.O.).
Photo: Derek Perry. View full-sized image.
Fuji-Q Highland in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi — home to Do-Dodonpa, the world’s fastest accelerating coaster, and Takabisha, formerly the world's steepest coaster.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
Nagashima Spa Land in Kuwana, Mie — home to Steel Dragon 2000, the world’s longest coaster.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer. View full-sized image.
They may have many of the wildest rides on the planet, but Japan’s amusement parks are much less spacious than those in North America and even Europe. In Japanese parks, the lack of space for new thrills has resulted in ingenious solutions: it’s not uncommon
to see rides stacked on top of pathways, buildings and even other rides in order to cram more into their limited footprints. This gives many parks in Japan a unique, layered look.
Tokyo Dome City in Bunkyo, Tokyo — home to Thunder Dolphin, a skyscraper-scaling hyper coaster in the heart of Tokyo.
Photo: Derek Perry. View full-sized image.
Universal Studios Japan in Konohana, Osaka — home to Flying Dinosaur, the world’s fastest flying coaster.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer. View full-sized image.
Greenland in Arao, Kumamoto — home to Gao, one of the world's longest coasters with some interesting scenery
Photo: Courtesy of Jeremy Thompson. View full-sized image.
The following article will cover the parks of the Middle East and Down Under (Australia). Interested in reading the rest of this "Theme Parks Across the World" series? Here are the other articles:
Part 1: North America and Europe
Part 2: China and Japan
Part 3: Middle East and Australia
— Kohl Gribble, ACE360 Coordinator
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