Beijing has recently upped their water park game with the opening of Playa Maya last year and the renovations to Tuanjiehu’s splash zone.
The water playground near the south gate of Tuanjiehu Park has been completely redone, with a massive new slide, wave pool, rides, obstacle courses, shaded resting zones, and an extended food court.
Image by Yinmai O’Connor/That’s
The updated food options are a vast improvement, with everything from Hong Kong-style egg waffle ice cream cones to stir-fried rice noodles – the options at Qingnianhu Park’s pool can’t even compare.
The large new slide is impressive, but you are required to have exactly four people to go on it, and during the weekdays, you might have to actively recruit people to get your numbers right.
Image by Yinmai O’Connor/That’s
The smaller attractions consist of one straight drop slide and three looping slides that you’ll have to carry a mat up to ride.
Pro tip: They will tell you to push the front of the mat down, but that’s a good way to get a lot of water up your nose. Slightly raising it gives you a bit of a shield and increases your speed.
Image by Yinmai O’Connor/That’s
There are also much smaller slides scattered around the colorful park, but those are best suited only for children.
A number of non-water-based attractions are scattered around the park, including a very fun monorail-style ride that you can spin your cart around on, a small Ferris wheel, and a little drop tower.
Image by Yinmai O’Connor/That’s
The wave pool and lazy river are not nearly as impressive or large as Playa Maya’s but considering the cheaper price tag and more convenient location, Tuanjiehu Park is a great spot to spend a summer day!
Open daily until August 1, 9am-9pm
All-day ticket: RMB99
Evening ticket (4-9pm): RMB69
Tuanjiehu Park (South Gate), No.16 Tuanjiehu Nanli, Chaoyang
[Cover image by Yinmai O’Connor/That’s]
