Some call Happy Valley (or Huanle Gu) the Chinese version of Disneyland. As that nickname suggests, you’ll find a huge variety of attractions, performances, and festivals all in one place. The amusement park is divided into seven different areas, each with its own unique theme (Wild Fjord, Aegean Harbor, Lost Maya, Shangri-La, Atlantis, Ant Kingdom, and Happy Time). Whether you’re a casual explorer visiting with your family or a die-hard adrenaline junkie, Happy Valley promises boundless fun.

For those looking to score some blood-pumping action, Happy Valley has four roller coasters. If you enjoy the exhilaration of “flying” through the sky, we recommend the one-of-a-kind Crystal Wing, a rollercoaster that suspends you horizontally while soaring and dive-bombing at harrowing speeds. Besides roller coasters, there are plenty of other thrilling rides, such as the Trojan Horse, Apollo Wheel, and Twin Tower Heroes for the stout-hearted. (We mean it.)

For kid-friendly attractions, visit the Haunted Cavern, game booths, and the various small rides in the Ant Kingdom and Happy Time areas. Additionally, there are several water rides in the Aegean Harbor that will provide a quick escape from the heat. For more relief from the hot weather, visit the ice cream and cold drink vendors scattered around the park. Don’t forget your sunscreen, if you’re going on a nice day.

Restaurants and snack stands are all over Happy Valley, so you won’t have to walk far to get a quick bite or a full meal. On a side note, the toilets are reasonably clean, and all the bathroom stalls have a sign that indicates whether there’s a squat or Western toilet.

The service in Happy Valley is great. The staff is friendly and won’t hesitate to help. The instructions and advice given for rides are sensible and clear, and safety is obviously their number one priority.

Prioritize, because the queuing time in between rides can eat away a lot more time than expected. The amusement park is rather crowded, even during weekdays. If you’re unable to visit all of your planned attractions in one day, consider staying the night at City Inn Happy Valley hotel before heading out for another round the next day.

The Details
RMB 180, RMB 160 (university students with IDs), RMB 140 (middle school and elementary students with IDs), RMB 120 (seniors and kids between 1.2-1.5 m), free for seniors over 70 and kids under 1.2m. Daily 8.30am-10pm. Xiaowujibei Lu, East Fourth Ring Road, Chaoyang District (6738 3333)

Directions: Happy Valley isn’t located conveniently close to a subway station; the closest one is Jinsong (劲松) station on Line 10, which is located about 5km northwest of the park. Catch a cab from there. (In the future, Line 7 will include a Happy Valley stop; the line is slated for completion in 2013.)

Photos by Marcel Tan

Bored this weekend? Get a load of Beijing’s arcades. From two-person racing games to air hockey and beyond, they’re a one-stop entertainment station for older kids, teens, and even adults. Here, we profile two arcades: Game Zone in Wangjing’s CapitaMall and Hero League in Sihui’s Joy City Chaoyang.

Game Zone (CapitaMall, Wangjing)

There is quite a broad range of games at Game Zone, from dancing and music games to sports, shooters, racing, air hockey, and claw grab games.

This arcade is for anyone and everyone looking for a good time: families, guys with time to kill, mothers with kids, and – of course – teenagers. There are plenty of family-friendly games, such as “Go Go Ball.” The object of the game is to throw plastic balls at the screen and hit targets.

The arcade could use a little more space because it feels a bit packed, especially during peak hours and on weekends. Service wasn’t the best; the employees weren’t particularly friendly (but then again, maybe we went too early in the morning). 

Other places of interest include a play area for young kids just outside the arcade, with toy car tracks, merry-go-rounds, play mats, and a softball area. There is also a hair salon for young kids. If you’re feeling peckish, head to the basement for chain restaurants like Ajisen, Subway, and KFC.

RMB 2 for one token, RMB 50 for 50 tokens, RMB 100 for 120 tokens. Daily 10am-10pm. 4/F, CapitaMall, 33 Guangshunbei Dajie, Chaoyang District (6474 3277) www.gamezoneclub.cn 朝阳区广顺北大街33号嘉茂购物中心4层

Directions: Take subway Line 15 to Wangjing (望京东) station, get out at exit C, then head south on Guangshunbei Dajie to reach CapitaMall.

Hero League (Joy City Chaoyang)

Hero League has a wider range of games than Game Zone (dancing, sports, car-racing, music, claw grabs, fighting, and more). On the day of our visit, the customers were mainly made up of young couples, teenagers, and adults. 

Most of the more family-oriented games are on the left side of the arcade area. Note that kids must be supervised and – weirdly enough – teenagers are apparently only allowed on official holidays, although we’re not sure whether this rule is actually enforced.

The arcade has lots of space, and none of it is wasted. Hero League even has its own washrooms, which were decently clean. There are more than enough arcade machines for everyone, and all them seem to be in very good shape – much better than the ones at Game Zone.

Other attractions include a cinema on the same floor, so you can head right over to watch a movie after you’re done playing. The lower floors of Joy City Chaoyang are packed with clothing shops, restaurants, and what feels like the world’s longest escalator.

Prices are similar to the Game Zone’s. Daily 10am-midnight. 8/F, Joy City Chaoyang, 101 Chaoyang Beilu, Chaoyang District (5971 6061)

Directions: Take Subway Line 1 to Sihui Dong (四惠东) station, then take Bus 468, 553, or 628 to the mall.

Photos by Marcel Tan