There is nothing that pleases the kids more in the hot weather than a visit to a themed water park like Aqua Magic. The park, located in the Bin Hai New Area, is brand new and only opened this summer. In the park there are enough fun activities for the family to spend the whole day enjoying the sun and water.

The park, which can accommodate 30,000 people, boasts that it is the biggest of its kind in China. It is split into several areas which include water slides of various shapes, a man-made beach with real sand and simulated waves, two drifting water lanes that traverse the park, a happy-time play area and a sun spa area. Altogether there are 19 rides, more than enough to satisfy all members of the family.

The 10,000 square meter sandy beach is the biggest area in the park and is a great place for a sun tan. The park is close to the ocean, which is visible from the top of the water slide, so the pleasant breeze in your face actually is from the sea. The waves at the beach can be as high as three meters and can feel a bit like a tsunami. There are nine levels of waves from small to high. The bottom of the wave pool is paved with anti-skid material to enhance its safety. To make you feel even safer, there are over 400 professional lifeguards in the park ready to assist in case of any emergency.

The drifting water lanes have two levels, which make them the first of their kind in Asia. The upper level is 800m long and the lower level is 1200m. The two lanes intertwine and zigzag through the park. You can leisurely drift down them in a plastic tire. However beware, the water is not always as peaceful as it looks. On the way you'll come across undercurrents, unexpected tidal surges and even whirlpools, so hold onto the tire tightly in order not to lose it.

Water slides are always the biggest attraction in a water park and among the six slides in the park, it is the King of Cobra that is the standout. As you have probably guessed, it is in the shape of a huge cobra about 10 meters high with a body that is a big U. The rider slides down from the tail, which is a spiral tube, down along the U and then up to the cobra's mouth. As you career along, you move back and forth as if on a skateboard before you are finally shot out the mouth into the water.

Besides these exciting and, I must admit, even scary rides, you can also bathe at the spa pool. It is a shallow pool with some deck chairs set up in the water. The water from the overhead showers gushes down, washing and massaging your body. It is totally relaxing.

The children's play area is a fun place even for grownups. The fountains and showers are in the shape of cartoon characters which make the place seem like a wonderland for the little kids. There are smaller slides suitable for the younger ones and the interactive games are really fun for all ages.

Aqua Magic is open in the evenings as well and that is when the party seems to really start up. The wave pool is all lit up and there is a dance show on the stage. Hawaiian, Brazilian and disco dancers really put on show and make the water seem even hotter!

The locker and shower rooms are at the entrance and are enormous but my one complaint is that they are set up separately. So if you need to get changed or take a shower, you have to take your gear with you from the locker room to the shower room. It would be a bit annoying if you forget anything important because you have to go back to get it

You are given a wrist strap key for the locker room. It also works like a wallet as you can deposit money in it since you cannot use cash inside the park. There are restaurants and souvenir shops where you can spend it. The rent for the locker is 30RMB plus 30RMB deposit.