Big thrills: Chimelong Paradise, Guangzhou

When it comes to amusement parks, size matters. And this mammoth Guangzhou complex is China’s biggest. It’s divided into several smaller parks, including a sprawling network of rollercoasters fit for the most daring souls. Among its craziest rides is the 10 Inversion Roller Coaster, only the second ride in the world that manages to turn brave customers upside down 10 times. The complex also houses a giant safari ground, where visitors can hop onto a tour vehicle and admire large animals like elephants, giraffes, hippos and white tigers (the park is a breeding research facility for the felines).

If you’re trying to beat the heat, Chimelong Paradise also incorporates an elaborate water park with a wide variety of swirling slides and inner-tube rides, as well as a wave pool. Doing everything here could take several days, but the on-site hotels mean you don’t have to leave the park as you rest up. And if you still want more Chimelong, you could head to its sister park in Zhuhai, home to the world’s biggest aquarium.

Small but fun: Hong Kong Disneyland

Although it’s the smallest of all of the Disney parks, Hong Kong Disneyland has been consistently expanding since its opening in 2005. One of its most anticipated developments was the Iron Man Experience, which launched in 2017 as the first Disney ride anywhere in the world to be based on a Marvel character, thanks to Disney’s acquisition of the comic book brand in 2009.

The attraction involves chairs that simulate motion as visitors join Tony Stark to fend off extraterrestrials attacking Hong Kong. Ant-man and The Wasp: Nano Battle, which opened in March 2019, expands on the story as guests follow the titular Marvel heroes on an interactive quest. But if you’re looking for a more traditional Disney experience, parades and fireworks take over Main Street USA every day, and musical fans can head to the theatre to watch and sing along to Disney’s classic tunes.

New and impressive: Shanghai Disneyland

The world’s sixth Disney park in the Pudong area consists of six themed lands and two hotels. Disneytown is its shopping, dining and entertainment district; the first Mandarin production of The Lion King stage musical is housed at Disney Grand Theatre; visitors can meet all the Disney princesses at the Enchanted Storybook Castle (Disney’s tallest castle), housing restaurants, shops and more; and Gardens of Imagination will be Disney’s only garden-themed land, featuring 12 Chinese zodiac murals.

Make a splash: Royal Ocean Park, Shenyang

The main draw of this huge complex, located just outside Shenyang in China’s northeast, is its Hawaii Water World, where you can spend a day lazing on an artificial beach, sliding down twisting tubes and floating in a 6,000-square-metre wave pool. But make time to also visit Ocean World, where you can admire towering aquariums of tropical fish, elegant displays of glowing jellies and dolphin shows. If these aren’t exotic enough for you, head over to Polar World, where belugas, penguins, seals and a polar bear give a glimpse of arctic life, albeit far from their natural habitat. There’s also an area dedicated to land animals, housing creatures like small primates, tortoises, snakes and peacocks. And finally, families can enjoy a few mercifully gentle amusement park rides. Ferris wheel and merry-go-round, anyone?