When one thinks of Asia, terms such as 'culture' or 'beautiful sceneries' will come to mind. But apart from these, there are attractions which are bigger and bolder that this continent offers. Yes, we're talking about theme parks! For the speed junkies, be prepared to scream your lungs out for even the bravest might waver at the sight of some of these attractions. And even if you're not a thrill-seeker, there are many other attractions which you can enjoy ?
Here are 8 theme parks which you just have to visit to complete your experience in Asia ?
1. Tokyo Disneyland
Ahhh, we could go on about the Disney parks in Japan for a long time. In fact, we love the Tokyo Disney parks so much that we’ve already published TWO guides - one for each park! So if you’re visiting Disneyland and Disneysea, read up and check out how you can enjoy your park visit to the fullest!
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This theme park is made up of 7 themed lands, including Toontown where Disney characters live, work and play ?
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And if you're looking for a Western feel, visit Westernland which is home to the popular rollercoaster Big Thunder Mountain!
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Need more convincing? Here’s why you have to visit Tokyo Disneyland in 2020 ?
#HHWT Tip: You’ll want to check the dates of your trip as the parks can get overwhelmingly crowded during peak periods!
Address: 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture 279-0031, Japan
Operating hours: Vary daily – do check the daily schedule prior to your visit
Ticket price: ¥7,400 (USD63) for adults
Buy your Tokyo Disney parks tickets here (1-day pass) and here (2-day pass)!
Get your Tokyo Disneyland tickets here!
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2. Nagashima Spa Land, Kuwana
Thrill ride purists rejoice! Nagashima Spa Land, said to be the best amusement park for roller coasters in Western Japan, is home to about 45 rides - 10 of which are roller coasters that are sure to leave even the hardiest of daredevils gobsmacked!
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Nagashima Spa Land sticks out into the sea, so its terrifyingly terrific rides are made even better with favourable water views ?
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This formidable ride placed the theme park on the Guinness Book of World Records - when it first started operating - for having the longest roller coaster in the world ? The Steel Dragon 2000 is 97-metres tall and runs at a top speed of 153km/h. There are no enclosures to fence the seats, so you can scream your hearts out, perhaps even literally!
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Due to Japanese regulations on the construction of wooden structures, you can count the number of wooden roller coasters in the country with one hand. Before its conception, the White Cyclone’s creators rubbed their chins and thought, “Now that we can build wooden structures, why not make the longest wooden roller coaster… outside of the US?” And the rest is history.
Have young children with you? Don’t go bakin’ their hearts - take them to the Anpanman Museum located near the entrance of Nagashima Spa Land!
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#HHWT Tip: Screaming on roller coaster rides can be gratifying, but having to deal with screaming kids? Hmm. Here are 11 Tips to Conquering Japan with Kids in Tow.
Address: 333 Nagashimacho Urayasu, Kuwana 511-1192, Mie Prefecture
Operating hours: Varies daily – do check the daily schedule prior to your visit
Ticket price: JPY 4,100 (USD 40.37)
3. Lotte World, Seoul
Of all the theme parks in the list, Lotte World would be the most unaffected by extreme weather. That’s right, the cold never bothered it anyway, and neither had the heat, the rain, hailstones, snow, and actual cats and dogs. That’s because most of the theme park is indoors!
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The glass ceiling allows for natural sunlight to seep in, which as we all know, makes for more Instagram-worthy photos!
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Recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest indoor theme park in the world, Lotte World maximises its unique layout with its ample vertical space. Rather than being divided into lands as we’ve seen so far, the attractions and amenities are dotted around different levels. So, like high-rise apartments, but fun ?
Start off slow with a bird’s eye view of the theme park on the Aeronauts Balloon Ride! With 45 attractions, there’s something for the entire family!
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To prevent the apocalypse from happening soon, the more exhilarating rides like the Gyro Drop, Gyro Swing, and Gyro Spin, are placed outside. The Gyro Drop releases you at a speed of 100km/h and the ride ends in just two seconds. If only weekends could arrive this swiftly ?
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#HHWT Tip: There’s a new prayer room facility on the third floor of Lotte World!
Address: 240 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: 9:30am – 10pm daily
Ticket prices: KRW 52,000 (USD 46.88) /Adult KRW 45,000 (USD 40.57) /Youth aged 13 to 18 KRW 41,000 (USD 36.96) /Child KRW 13,000 (USD 11.71) /Infant
4. Legoland, Malaysia
Johor is definitely a great place for the kids and the young at hearts. They’re blessed with not one, but three fantastic theme parks to call their playground! Bring your squeals and laughter to Legoland where life-sized lego structures and a water park neighbour each other.
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Then, practice your cuteness at the Sanrio Hello Kitty Town before continuing your day with a trip to the indoor Angry Birds Activity Park.
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Your little ones will definitely enjoy this park!
Address: Legoland Malaysia, 7, Jalan Legoland, Medini, 79100 Nusajaya, Johor
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 10am - 6pm
Ticket prices: RM144 (USD32.15) - Adults
5. Shanghai Disneyland
The newest Disney park in Asia is the second cheapest park in the world, falling behind Paris by only $3! Being the newest Disney park in the world and the only one in China, you’ll have to prepare yourself for an overwhelming crowd and long wait times for the rides ?
But if you’re all set for this experience, don’t forget to check out five of the attractions that can only be found in this Disney park ☺️
For the price, this park is definitely worth a visit!
Address: 310 Huangzhao Rd, 川沙新镇 Pudong Xinqu, Shanghai Shi, China
Opening hours: Varies daily – do check the daily schedule prior to your visit
Ticket prices: ¥370.00 (USD53.23)
6. Hong Kong Disneyland
Built on reclaimed land, Hong Kong Disneyland may pale in comparison to its dazzling neighbours in Tokyo and Shanghai, but with exciting new rides launching every year from 2018 to 2023, we can definitely see why travellers should be planning a trip to this Disney park soon!
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Opening in January 2017, the Iron Man Experience will be Disney Parks' first Marvel-themed ride! Visitors can take a flight with Iron Man or even be Iron man ?
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With the limelight currently shining on the newest Disney park in Shanghai, you can also expect shorter queues for the rides at this park. That’s definitely a plus for us!
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#HHWT Tip: Hong Kong Disneyland is one of the few parks to provide halal food!
Address: Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Opening hours: 10am to 9pm
Ticket prices: HK$539 (USD69.41)
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Get your tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland here!
7. Universal Studios Singapore (USS)
This theme park is a must visit when you're in Singapore! Queues start even before the park opens so it's best to get your tickets online. Also, queues for park rides are really long. Hence, we recommend that you purchase the express pass as you can skip the snaking queues and go straight for the rides ?
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USS is also the only Universal Studios amusement park to have a Battlestar Galactica roller coaster - a pair of roller coasters (one is an inverted roller coaster track) which are the tallest duelling coasters in the world!
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And don't miss out on the Universal Journey, which is the largest light display in the world. You'll definitely be dazzled by the 824,961 lights in the whole display ? This display is only open till early January 2017, so hurry get your tickets!
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Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, 098269
Opening hours: 10am to 7pm
Ticket prices: SGD$74
Buy your Universal Studios Singapore tickets here!
Been to Universal Studios Singapore? SHARE your experience by leaving a review on the HHWT website!
8. Motiongate, Dubai
Opened just a few days ago, this is one park you would not want to miss! It's the largest inspired-Hollywood theme park in the Middle East which allows you a variety of about 100 rides, despite some being unopened.
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Apart from roller coasters and other theme park rides, Motiongate houses 3 of the largest and most successful motion picture studios in Hollywood – DreamWorks Animation, Columbia Pictures and Lionsgate. Immerse yourself in a world of innovation and creative storytelling right in this park!
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You'd definitely want to visit this park if you're a Smurf or Ghostbuster fan as some of the attractions are themed around these shows ?
Address: Dubai Park & Resorts, Sheikh Zayed Road , Near Palm Jebel Ali، Jebel Ali - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Opening hours: Varies daily – do check the daily schedule prior to your visit
Ticket prices: 250 AED (USD68.07)
We hope you're impressed by all the theme parks that Asia has to offer! There's really no better time to visit these parks, especially the parks which have just opened ☺️