Asia is absolutely swimming in water parks. Chimelong Water Park in Guangzhou is the most visited in both Asia and the world. Aquatic attractions from Fantawild in Zhengzhou, Wuhu and Xiamen are all popular. There are also Playa Maya offerings in Wuhan, Shanghai and Tianjin.
Other exciting water parks in the region include Seoul’s Caribbean Bay and Aquaventure at Atlantis Sanya. Visitors also enjoy Lotte Water Park (Gimhae) and Sunway Lagoon (Kuala Lumpur).
The visitor numbers and ranking below come from the pre-pandemic TEA/AECOM Theme Index 2019, which can be downloaded here. The latest attendance figures from the TEA/AECOM Theme Index are for 2022, but the ranking here remains the same as it was in 2019.
1 Chimelong Water Park, Guangzhou, China
Not only is Chimelong Water Park in Guangzhou the most popular water park in Asia, it’s also the most visited water park in the world, with higher attendance than Walt Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach in Florida. The aquatic park first opened in China in 2007. WhiteWater, a leading water park manufacturer, provided slides including the first Family Python in China.
Part of the Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort, which includes Chimelong Paradise and is owned by the Chimelong Group, the water park is home to slides, rides and events. The group, founded by Su Zhigang, also opened Chimelong International Ocean Resort on Hengqin Island in Zhuhai in 2014.
2019 attendance – 3,014,000
2022 attendance – 1,620,000
2 Wuhu Fantawild Water Park, Wuhu, China
Fantawild Holdings, a leading one-stop solution provider in the theme park industry, owns and operates theme parks and water parks in China. The company launched Wuhu Fantawild Water Park in 2014. It boasts water attractions including a playground, lazy river and the Boonie Bear Village. Fantawild also has water parks in Zhengzhou and Xiamen.
Daisy Shang, executive president of Fantawild Holdings, told blooloop the company’s “rapid growth is down to its competitiveness. It’s a standout company within the global theme park industry integrating creative design, research and development, content production, construction, and marketing”.
2019 attendance – 1,348,000
2022 attendance – 928,000
3 Caribbean Bay, Seoul, South Korea
Found in Yonqin, Seoul, Caribbean Bay is part of Everland Resort, which houses South Korea’s biggest theme park. Caribbean Bay attractions include swimming pools, water slides and a lazy river. Everland is split into five themed areas – Global Fair, Zootopia, European Adventure, Magic Land and American Adventure.
Everland opened in 1976, while Caribbean Bay launched in 1996. Home to both indoor and outdoor attractions, Caribbean Bay features a wave pool that uses cutting-edge technology to reproduce waves similar to those in the Caribbean Sea. Everland Resort is owned and operated by Samsung C&T.
2019 attendance – 1,333,000
2022 attendance – 995,000
4 Playa Maya Water Park, Wuhan, China
Wuhan Playa Maya Water Park opened in June 2015 in Hubei, China. Aquatic offerings at the attraction include the lazy river, Maya Beach, Mayan Water Village, Small Horn, Super Tornado, Giant Bowl and Cyclone Wave. Wuhan Playa Maya also offers two themed restaurants, Mayan and Drifters.
Wuhan Playa Maya Water Park covers 160,000 square metres and is adjacent to Happy Valley Wuhan, run by OCT Group. OCT operates eight Happy Valley theme parks across China. It also owns and operates OCT East, Window of the World and Splendid China. Intamin, a creator of record-breaking amusement rides, opened a new coaster at Happy Valley Nanjing in 2022.
2019 attendance – 1,210,000
2022 attendance – 560,000
5 Aquaventure Atlantis, Sanya, China
Aquaventure Atlantis debuted in May 2018 in Haitang Bay, one of the five major bays in Sanya, China. The $1.65 billion water park “really is the world’s number one water park”, according to VP of Aquaventure at Atlantis Sanya, Alan Mahony. Aquaventure houses 35 attractions, including ProSlide slides and rides.
Aquaventure covers 200,000 square metres, making it the largest water park in Asia. On what makes it special, Mahony said: “The theming and the storytelling. The way everything right down to the slide towers is fully themed makes it a unique experience compared to any other water park. And I’ve seen a lot!”
“Atlantis Sanya is the ultimate vacation destination in the region,” said ProSlide CEO and president Rick Hunter. “It delivers so many incredible guest experiences in one park experience.”
2019 attendance – 1,200,000
2022 attendance – 630,000
6 Sunway Lagoon, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malaysia’s Sunway Lagoon is a world of play and leisure covering more than 88 acres, owned and operated by Sunway Leisure. Its 90 rides and attractions can be found in the Water Park, Amusement Park, Extreme Park, Wildlife Park, Scream Park and Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon. Sunway Lagoon opened in 1992 in Kuala Lumpur.
Sunway Lagoon’s rides include Malaysia’s first surf simulator, the biggest surf pool in the world, and the largest vortex ride in the world, named Vuvuzela. Additional attractions include the first Waterplexx 5D. The park also hosts performances and events at its site in Subang Jaya.
2019 attendance – 1,200,000
2022 attendance – 950,000
7 Ocean World, Hongcheon, South Korea
Located in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province in South Korea, Ocean World is part of the Vivaldi Park resort. Attractions at the resort include Ocean World and Ski World, as well as other entertainment experiences. Ocean World has indoor and outdoor areas, which include a huge slide complex and extreme zone.
Opened in 2009, Ocean World’s theming is inspired by ancient Egypt. Indoors, guests can discover various swimming pools and baths. Outdoors, there are extreme rivers and thrilling slides, as well as the world’s first and longest three-seater tube slide, family-friendly attractions and a giant waterplex.
2019 attendance – 1,071,000
2022 attendance – 750,000
8 Yinji Kaifeng Water World, Kaifeng, China
Yinji Kaifeng Water World made its debut in July 2015 with all attractions supplied by WhiteWater. The park in Kaifeng, China houses nine separate waterslide complexes, offering nearly 50 waterslides, three wave pools, two Wave Rivers and a FlowRider Double.
“We are extremely proud to work with Yinji Dynasty to assist them in bringing a new level of water park sophistication to the industry,” said Geoff Chutter, president and CEO of WhiteWater. “This park is going to raise the bar for Chinese tourism destinations all around the country.”
2019 attendance – 1,000,000
2022 attendance –
9 Sunway Lost World of Tambun, Perak, Malaysia
Sunway Lagoon operator Sunway Leisure also owns Sunway Lost World of Tambun in the town of Ipoh, Perak. First opened in November 2004, Sunway Lost World of Tambun is surrounded by tropical jungle and natural hot springs. It’s home to 10 parks, including the Lost World Water Park.
The water park’s attractions include Sandy Bay and Jungle Wave Bay, the biggest wave pool in Malaysia. There’s also an Adventure River and Kids Explorabay, a children’s zone with waterslides and an interactive play area. Cliff Racer is a thrilling slide experience, and Tube Raider is Malaysia’s longest inflatable tube ride.
2019 attendance – 1,000,000
2022 attendance – 800,000
10 Playa Maya Water Park, Shanghai, China
Shanghai Playa Maya Water Park is located adjacent to Happy Valley Shanghai in the Sheshan National Tourism Resort and run by OCT Group. As with all Playa Maya attractions, the theming is inspired by ancient Mayan culture. Shanghai Playa Maya covers an area of 200,000 square metres and launched in June 2014.
The water park boasts a double-track water coaster called Bumblebee, a Super Horn, a floating raft named Big Octopus Slide, and a popular whirlpool experience. It also features a Mayan-themed interactive water village and five family play areas – Maya Camp, Animal Kingdom, Deep Sea Secret, Happy Jungle, and Jumping Zone.
2019 attendance – 970,000
2022 attendance – 290,000
11 Atlantis Water Adventure, Jakarta, Indonesia
Atlantis Water Adventure is part of Ancol Taman Impian, a seaside destination found in Jakarta, Indonesia. In addition to Atlantis Water Adventure, the waterfront complex includes the Dunia Fantasi amusement park, home to roller coasters and rides, as well as the Sea World aquarium and Ocean Dream Samudra animal shows.
Atlantis Water Adventure occupies more than five hectares of land and is inspired by the fictional island of Atlantis. Attractions include a wave pool, flowing river pool, rainbow pool and waterfall pool, as well as waterslides and restaurants. Opened in 1966, Ancol Taman Impian is currently the largest integrated tourism area in Southeast Asia.
2019 attendance – 910,000
2022 attendance – 263,000
12 Zhengzhou Fantawild Water Park, Zhengzhou, China
Fantawild Holdings launched Zhengzhou Fantawild Water Park in July 2014. Located adjacent to Zhengzhou Fantawild Adventure, the water park is home to a lazy river and wave pool, as well as a host of waterslides and the Boonie Bear Village.
Fantawild also operates water parks in Wuhu and Xiamen. Its theme parks include Fantawild Adventure, Fantawild Dreamland and Fantawild Oriental Heritage. “We design our own theme parks and develop the full range of attractions ourselves, we own hundreds of patents and trademarks, and operate our own parks,” said Daisy Shang, executive president of Fantawild Holdings.
2019 attendance – 905,000
2022 attendance – 484,000
13 Summerland, Tokyo, Japan
Summerland opened back in 1967 in Tokyo. The water park’s indoor area is known as the Adventure Dome and is home to slides, pools and play areas, as well as attractions and rides. The outdoor area, called Adventure Lagoon, is where visitors will find the larger waterslides, attractions, pools and floats.
In addition to the water park, Summerland includes the Thrill Mountain amusement park, offering family-friendly rides, a haunted house, a coaster called Tornado and a Ferris wheel. WhiteWater supplied the Abyss funnel waterslide at Adventure Lagoon.
2019 attendance – 868,000
2022 attendance – 690,000
14 Xiamen Fantawild Water Park, Xiamen, China
Xiamen Fantawild Water Park made its debut in June 2017. It was the third Fantawild park to open in Xiamen, following Xiamen Fantawild Dreamland (2013) and Xiamen Fantawild Oriental Heritage (2017). Located on the island of Zhongzhou, Xiamen Fantawild Water Park includes a host of waterslides and water attractions.
Rides include a giant loop slide, super bowl and rainbow slide, as well as high-speed spiral slides, a wave pool and lazy rivers, and the Boonie Bear Village.
2019 attendance – 832,000
2022 attendance – 674,000
15 The Jungle Water Adventure, West Java, Indonesia
Covering approximately four hectares, the Jungle Water Adventure is located in Bogor, a city south of Jakarta in West Java. Also referred to as the Jungle Waterpark Bogor, the water park is situated at the foot of Mount Salak. It is home to various aquatic attractions, such as waterslides and a wave pool, and includes a food hall.
Highlights include the Jungle 4D Cinema, an area for birds and an aquarium, as well as a water playground for children, a lazy river and a large aquarium. The Jungle Water Adventure also boasts the Jungle Mall shopping centre, which offers karaoke, bowling and other amenities.
2019 attendance – 785,000
2022 attendance – 582,000
16 Playa Maya Water Park, Tianjin, China
Tianjin Playa Maya Water Park covers an area of ​​150,000 square meters and opened in June 2018. Inspired by the Maya civilisation, Tianjin Playa Maya is an immersive water attraction built by OCT Group with an investment of around $154m. OCT also operates Happy Valley Tianjin, which opened in July 2013.
Aquatic offerings at the park include the Happy Island play area and a water village called Kaba Water Village, as well as a host of pools and waterslides. These include Rattlesnake, Python Expedition and Crazy Tsunami. The water park also features a lazy river and the Maya Beach wave pool, which covers 13,000 square metres.
2019 attendance – 750,000
2022 attendance – 630,000
17 Woongjin Playdoci Waterdoci, Bucheon, South Korea
Located in Bucheon, South Korea, Woongjin Playdoci is the biggest indoor leisure park in Korea and is made up of three main facilities – Waterdoci (water park), Snowdoci (ski centre) and Golfdoci (driving range). Woongjin Playdoci first opened with the driving range in December 2009 before expanding to include Waterdoci and Snowdoci.
The water park is Korea‘s largest, and Snowdoci is the country’s first indoor ski centre. In addition, Woongjin Playdoci (Woongjin Play City) includes a spa, fitness centre and various shopping areas. Waterdoci is home to a state-of-the-art wave pool, plenty of waterslides and an aqua bar.
2019 attendance – 750,000
2022 attendance – 327,000
18 Lotte Water Park, Gimhae, South Korea
Lotte Water Park in South Korea’s Gimhae covers 122,776 square metres and launched in 2014. The Polynesian-themed attraction boasts Korea’s largest outdoor wave pool, indoor wave pool and tornado slide. Additionally, it features a lazy river, raft ride and water coaster, as well as the Tiki Island spa and various F&B outlets.
Lotte Group also operates Lotte World, a theme park in Seoul made up of indoor theme park Lotte World Adventure and outdoor park Magic Island. The new 25-acre Lotte World opened in Busan in 2022. The attraction was designed with Legacy Entertainment, a leading theme park and resort design company.
2019 attendance – 740,000
2022 attendance – 548,000
19 Adventure Cove Waterpark, Singapore
Adventure Cove Waterpark is part of Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in Singapore, one of the world’s biggest integrated resorts. RWS also houses Universal Studios Singapore and the S.E.A. Aquarium. The water park features high-speed water slides, a relaxing lazy river, and a colourful reef with 20,000 tropical fish.
Universal Studios Singapore broke ground on its new Minion Land in May 2022. This is part of the $5 billion expansion of RWS, which is operated by Genting Singapore.
2019 attendance – 710,000
2022 attendance – 360,000
