THE sweltering summer has transformed Shenzhen into a huge sauna, leaving residents feeling like they are melting out of air-conditioned spaces. There is no better way to beat the scorching heat than chilling out at a water-themed park. Here are some venues that promise a refreshing respite. Maya Water Park, Happy Valley When talking about Shenzhen’s water theme parks, Happy Valley and its water park in Nanshan District may be the first name that comes to mind. Opened in 1998 in the OCT, Maya Water Park enjoys the fame of the “water paradise in downtown Shenzhen” for its classical water recreation programs that cater to both adult visitors and children. For the adventurous souls out there, the near-vertical water slide is a must-try program. First of its kind in Asia, the Feathered Serpent God Ring (羽蛇神環) promises a thrilling experience akin to a near-free fall down a 16.5-meter-tall enclosed slipway, equivalent to the height of a five-story building. Some online enthusiasts call it addictive. If you’re exploring Maya with little ones, the Tiandi Raft, dubbed as “China’s first family-friendly fantasy rafting experience,” awaits. Prepare for a whimsical journey featuring sudden drops and swirling descents along a 185-meter-long winding waterway from a height of 18.5 meters, delivering a rafting-like thrill. Among the array of popular water activities at Maya are the thrilling Rainbow Circuit for water racing, the exhilarating Pantheon Water Skateboarding, the adventurous Rainforest Python water coaster, and more. The park has been open since April 27. Immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms, captivating dance moves, and dazzling lights of the Maya Music Festival, and dive into the excitement of the man-made water waves for a splashing good time. Add: 1 Qiaocheng West Street, Nanshan District Metro: Line 1 or 2 to Window of the World Station (世界之窗站), Exit A Water park, Guanlan Shanshui Tianyuan Tourism and Culture Park Located within the bigger park, this water park boasts some of the world’s most technologically advanced water recreation facilities. Among its popular attractions are the Super Trumpet Slide, the exhilarating Rainbow Slide, the charming Children’s Water Village, and the artificial Wave Pool. Notably, the hugely sought-after Sky Slalom offers a gravity-defying experience with a giant slide on water, where two thrill-seekers can slide down a U-shaped track from a high platform in a raft, rushing to the opposite side before descending into the pool below. For families with young children, the Juhong Gorge Rafting is a milder option. A ride on the Juhong Gorge resembles a water bus navigating a 350-meter ring-shaped rafting river of only 0.9-meter deep. A summer-only water-splashing electronic music festival will give you a unique chance to dance in water to pulsating beats. Add: Huanguannan Road, Junzibu Community, Guanlan Subdistrict, Longhua District Bus: M339 to Xingfalukou Station (興發路口站) Splendid China●China Folk Culture Villages There isn’t a water park at this oldest theme park in Shenzhen, but it’s got the Water Splashing Festival, which is equally fun. Recognized as one of the country’s first batch of intangible cultural heritages, the Oriental carnival is a grand, traditional celebration of the Dai ethnic people to mark the new year on the Dai calendar. The event in the theme park, running from July 1 to Aug. 28, immerses visitors in the festive mood of the Dai ethnic group in Southwest China, with cultural performances, local delicacies, and water splashing parties. A nighttime parade featuring songs and dances by performers in traditional Dai attire brings the summer party to a climax. Add: OCT, Shennan Boulevard, Nanshan District Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station (華僑城站), Exit D OCT East Water Park The Dameisha area in Yantian District has been a famed summer resort in Shenzhen, and the OCT East Water Park that integrates both outdoor and indoor water activities is a must-go in Dameisha. Nestled in the Grand Canyon Ecological Garden of the OCT East, the water park, occupying an area of 20,000 square meters, features a U-shaped slide, indoor river rafting, skateboard surfing, 3-meter giant waves, and other exciting aquatic projects and performances. Add: Dameisha, Yantian District Bus: 308 to the West Gate of OCT East (東部華僑城西門) Lvjvjv Water Park, OH Bay The Lvjvjv Water Park is a summertime party created by OH Bay in collaboration with PEPPER SHAKER’s IP Lvjvjv, known as Green Giant in English. Nestled within a 3,000-square-meter large inflatable model, the water amusement park offers an array of child-friendly water recreation activities such as an extra-long slide, water-obstacle challenges, a snorkeling pool, and a water trampoline. Adorable inflatable dolls scattered around the park add to the park’s appeal for children. As one of Shenzhen’s children-friendly areas, OH Bay also houses a children’s playground, an artificial beach, and a coastal skateboarding camp to pique the interests of young people. After frolicking at the water park, take a leisurely stroll through the flea market and indulge in the culinary delights at the food court situated beneath the Bay Glory Ferris Wheel. Add: The sculpture square in central OH Bay, at the intersection of Baohua and Haifu roads, Bao’an District Metro: Line 5 to Linhai Station (臨海站), Exit B2 Langxing Water Club The Langxing Water Club is one of the destinations in Shenzhen that water sports enthusiasts can’t miss. Situated in the Dameisha International Water Sports Center, the water club is a paddle boarding and windsurfing paradise. Add: 89 Yanmei Road, Yantian District Metro: Line 8 to Dameisha Station (大梅沙站), Exit B (Wei Jie) | 