So what’s really fun in Beijing other than its culture, bars, people and etc.? A place where you can relax and enjoy your time? Then I bet you its Happy Valley, the biggest amusement park in town, and with its intriguing name, Happy Valley is considered as a "must go" site in Beijing.
Happy Valley is located just outside of the East Fourth Ring Road, not too far away from CBD. Taxi fees range between RMB 26-30. Ticket prices for adults are RMB 180, RMB 160 for college students, RMB 140 for high school students, and free for those who are under 1.2m and over 70 years old.
The park is divided into seven different theme parks: Wild Fjord, Lost Maya, Aegean Harbor, Shangri-La, Ant Kingdom, Atlantis, and Happy Time. The park sections range from breath-taking roller-coasters to peaceful tea-cups to 4-D movies, making it a perfect place for families to enjoy the day. Electric bikes (three-wheeled) are available for rent, with a choice between single-seats and double-seats. Public and food services are also easy to spot on site: clearly labeled signs are located at the most visible places with English translations. However, navigating the maps is difficult, because they are over-decorated and require more than a quick scan.
The park has mainly fast food restaurants, like KFC near the main entrance. Snack shops serve popcorn, sausages, sodas, and the like. Prices are a bit high. There are also several restaurants across from Happy Valley, such as Pizza Hut, McDonald’s and Dairy Queen.
One thing you can be sure of here is that there will always be an “abysmal” line up in front of you for both the rides and the washroom. Line ups for roller-coasters will usually take up around two hours, but time varies depending on the popularity of the ride and the weather. However, do not simply expect that a rainy day would do, because then all of the rides will be shut down and there are no refunds.
Despite the long lines, Happy Valley is a wonderful place to have fun. As a teen who has been living in Beijing for many years, I recommend Happy Valley as one of the places in the city that should not be missed.
Daily 10am-10pm. Wuji Beilu, Dongsihuan Lu, Chaoyang District (6738 9898 ext 0, 6205 0088) 朝阳区东四环路小武基北路
Tips:
Raincoats for water-related activities are sold outside the main gate at a relatively cheaper price that those sold inside.
Some of the rides might not be open every day.
