Shanghai Disneyland is so 2016; East Valley of Science and Fantasy is the future!
Since last year, a massive virtual reality theme park has been under construction in the Guizhou capital of Guiyang. This week, the first images of the park surfaced online. Turns out, yup, it’s gonna be big. Real big.

In the park, which is set to partially open this December, visitors will be able to travel to the future, fight dragons, fly to space, and even meet extraterrestrial life, all with the help of nifty VR technology. While only one area of the ginormous theme park will be opened to visitors this year — the “Alien Base” — it still seems like something to check out.

Surely this 53-meter tall Transformers statue that was built from 750 tonnes of steel is worth the price of admission alone. Guess what, it’s the world’s tallest.


Built by the Shenzhen-based Oriental Times Media Corporation at a reported investment of 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion), the park covers an area of 2,000 acres; however, much of that will be used to house a virtual reality movie-making studio and a research and development center.

Upon entering the park, visitors will be given VR helmets and other gadgets to help them interact with the environment in some presumably cool ways. They’ll also be able to ride China’s first virtual reality roller coaster.

So, instead of going to the Mouse’s house for a bit of fantasy fun, why not head on down to Guizhou? While you’re there you can also visit the world’s largest radio telescope and maybe even apply for a job.
By Máté Mohos
[Images via Sina / Sohu]