Where to take the kids on the weekend? A guide to the world's first Journey to the West-themed park

1. Basic Park Information

- Address: No. 6 Xiyou Avenue, Qingjiangpu District, Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province (Search "Huai'an Xiyou Park" directly on navigation for precise location)
- Opening Hours:
- Weekdays: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM (no night sessions)
- Weekends and holidays: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM (night sessions extended to 9:00 PM, night session entry requires separate confirmation)
- Ticket Policy:
- Adult ticket: about 200 RMB/person
- Discount ticket (children/seniors): about 140 RMB/person (applicable to children 1.2-1.5 meters tall and seniors aged 60 and above, ID or household registration book required for verification)
- Free admission: children under 1.2 meters (must be accompanied by a ticketed adult)
- Transportation:
- High-speed rail: After arriving at Huai'an East Station, take a taxi to the park, about 20 minutes, fare around 30-40 RMB
- Self-driving: Navigate to "Huai'an Xiyou Park," parking fee 10-20 RMB/day (arrive early on holidays to secure a close parking spot)
- Bus: Take routes You 7, You 8, 91, or 30 directly to the "Xiyou Park" stop

2. Recommended Must-Play Attractions (by audience)

1. Thrilling Challenges (suitable for children over 1.4 meters and adults)

- "Three Battles with the White Bone Demon": 5D motion cinema with seats rotating and vibrating with the plot, combined with wind and water spray effects for an immersive demon-fighting experience
- "Havoc in Heaven": Suspended flying cinema, rising high to overlook Flower-Fruit Mountain, South Heavenly Gate, and other Journey to the West mythological scenes, feeling like being in Heaven
- "Flames of the Flaming Mountain": Launch roller coaster with instant acceleration simulating the thrill of crossing the Flaming Mountain, lasting about 1 minute 30 seconds

2. Gentle Family-Friendly (suitable for young children over 1.2 meters)

- "Cleverly Seizing the Banana Fan": 4D movie centered on Princess Iron Fan’s story, with gentle visuals, perfect for family viewing
- "Pegasus Gallop": Journey to the West-themed carousel, horses designed as White Dragon Horse, Divine Deer, etc., full of atmosphere
- "Feast at the Jade Pool": Teacup ride with gentle spinning speed, cups decorated with peaches and auspicious clouds, suitable for parent-child rides

3. Special Performances (arrive 15 minutes early to secure a spot)

- Float Parade: Starts around 2:00 PM daily from the main park entrance, circling the main avenue once; characters like Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Tang Sanzang get off to shake hands and take photos with visitors
- Night Light Show + Fireworks: Open only on weekends and holidays, starts promptly at 8:00 PM, combining lake water screen projections and aerial fireworks to perform classic Journey to the West scenes, lasting about 20 minutes

4. Dining Recommendations

- Gao Laozhuang Restaurant: Specializes in Chinese fast food, average 40-60 RMB per person, must-try specialties: Ginseng Fruit Mousse (shaped like ginseng fruit with mango filling), Golden Horn King Croissant (salted egg yolk filling)
- Peach Garden Snack Stalls: Located throughout the park, selling grilled sausages (10 RMB each), ice cream (15-25 RMB per serving), hot and sour noodles (25 RMB per bowl), and other convenient snacks

5. Tips for Visiting (Avoid pitfalls & save time)

1. Download the official park app in advance to check real-time queue times and show schedule changes, and to book popular attractions online
2. Weekends and holidays are crowded; arrive before 9:30 AM and head straight to popular attractions like "Three Battles with the White Bone Demon" and "Havoc in Heaven" to avoid the peak after 10:30 AM
3. For children under 3 years old, strollers can be rented at the entrance for 50 RMB/day (ID deposit required) or 80 RMB/day (no deposit needed); strollers are foldable, and some attractions have storage areas at the entrance
4. You may bring sealed snacks and non-glass bottled water; self-heating hot pots, instant noodles, and other self-heating foods are prohibited; if planning to enjoy water attractions like "Flowing Sand River Rafting," bringing a raincoat is recommended (sold inside the park for 15 RMB each)