Sunday 28 July 2013

Longfeng Villa Video Resort

Previously known as Successful Land, our next park had undergone a recent rebranding calling itself LongFeng Villa Video Resort. Home to a single coaster it was a brief stop at the start of the day.



A rather stunning palatial building greets you at the entrance.


The park is split across a valley similar to Alton Towers but steeper. To help get us to the rides a few of us took advantage of their people carriers.



Having been dropped off half way up, the vehicle stopped and we all exited for the park. A group of us wandered off into a very scenic Chinese village for a photo opportunity.



Atop a hill overlooking that an authentic Chinese Palace, that we also explored.


Not sure how to get to the park and figuring it was further up the mountain we found this narrow staircase and began a second ascent.



A couple of cool looking cable cars waited for us at the peak, an obvious means to get from one side of the valley to the other (Alton Towers should get these), however there were no operators. Ah well, it looked like the only way to cross was to walk it.


Over there is where we go I guess.


Something, or possibly someone, had left us a present in the station.


Having trekked down then up we looked back then realised we were nowhere near the rides, in fact we couldn't have gotten any further away. But at least we had explored all the park and witnessed first hand the cable station poo. Another people carrier turned up and kindly took us back to the rest of the group.




The park only has the one coaster, and it was the first on the trip of what is a very popular ride in China; the jungle mouse. There aren't many of these in the west, yet they're an American design. Somehow the design found its way here and they loved it. After a brief breakdown (the ride, not me. That came later), I got my ride and figured I'd go explore the park some more.


A rather large centipede limped across my path obviously in distress. I had to remove a thorn from its foot before I could continue. It seemed to appreciate the help. I just wish it could have been a lion. That would have been a much cooler story.


The park has undergone a bit of an overhaul and has dotted around it a number of spots of global theming. This is Thailand with an elephant adorned staircase. I'd climb that later.


Some other parts of the park contained props to have photos taken at.


This must be Holland, or Lilliput.


Some of the gardens were pretty.



This looked rather cool. Little tank sleds that you rode down a hill however there were some problems. Only one sled, no means to get the sled back up, and nothing to slow you down. Unfortunately the ride op walked off with the sled preventing us from having a go and when we did get permission there was no time left for us all to have a go, so none of us did.


This is supposed to be London but the proportions are totally out, and we wouldn't call them booths.


The top of the Thai ascent. Pretty nice actually.



Re-enacting the scene from Temple of Doom, Thomas is pursued by a Chinese coach party. This bridge had a sign stating "maximum 10 people" which we easily exceeded. It was also quite slack making it difficult, and a little scary to cross.


Back at the rides now, and in the back corner a new water ride was being built. I like that you dive into the shark's mouth, exiting through it's arse not so much.


These water shooting rides are commonplace.


Proper archery. Never in the west.


Unfortunately this was just decoration and not an advert for an ice cream promotion


Man on bike on wire or no reason.


It was later in the morning that we realised what was going on in the park. It's another place for newlywed couples to have scenic photos taken. The amusement park must be a place to leave the kids whilst the couples go and get dressed up and photographed.


The gardens and theming aren't for us themepark fans; they're the backgrounds to the photos.


Some couples having their photos taken. When they get back home do they pretend they've been to Holland or Thailand or Lilliput. It's a weird industry.


But the attention to detail in place was great..


On our way out we walked past some example photos. This one irked me, the fence is broken and he's sitting on a spike.


So they do interior shots too. Very pretty but why are they only having gravy for dinner?


Some of the group doing their own posing just outside the park.


That's the entrance sign. The topiary is of a Phoenix and Dragon which in Chinese mythology signifies female and male. The clue was there. This park is more scenic than brilliant but the coaster was good. I quite enjoyed having this insight into the couple photo industry. I can only assume it exists because not all Chinese can afford to travel to the real thing.

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