Asia’s best rollercoasters
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, chances are you’ve visited USS’ Human Battlestar Galactica so many times that it doesn’t quite give you that kick anymore. The roller coasters at Six Flags in America are the stuff of adrenaline-pumping legends, but few of us will ever get the chance to try them in person.
Stuck in Asia, the absolute bravest of us hurtle through Macau’s skies with only a harness keeping us from certain death, but for the rest of us who prefer to be safely strapped in, here are the top 10 scariest roller coasters in Asia you have to ride!
Of course, as with any trip anywhere, connectivity is a must – especially when you’re taking part in #yolo activities that will get them likes rolling in. To maintain connectivity wherever you’re at, grab a pocket WiFi at Changi Airport. Rates start at $12/day, but keep a look out for occasional promotional rates. The best part: it can be picked up and dropped off at the airport when you get back for maximum convenience.
1. T-Express – ‘Steepest Wooden Coaster in the World’ in Everland, South Korea
Source @xianhao87
Source @travelseoulmate
Scare Factor: 9/10
Wooden roller coasters are old school, pre-dating the fancy steel roller coasters that are popping up everywhere. They engage all your senses – your sense of touch from the rickety bumps, your sense of smell from the musky wood, and your sense of hearing from the chains pulling your carriage upwards. It’s an experience that steel roller coasters will never replicate.
Holding its spot at ‘Number 1 Wooden Coaster in the World’ and ‘Steepest Wooden Roller Coaster in the World’, be prepared for some kickass airtime, and be prepared to wet your pants. I don’t even know how these heroes can even try to eat on this ride:
Tip: Visit on weekdays to avoid the > 1 hour wait.
Get 37% OFF tickets here
2. Scream Your Heart Out at Leofoo Village Theme Park, Taiwan
Source @aliensexistforreal
Scare Factor: 7/10
Although its English translation is Screaming Condor, its Chinese name translates literally into ‘being in a high place looking down’. Both are 100% accurate. Featuring a 360-degree spiral whirl while on airtime, then plummeting to earth at a 90-degree angle, you’re bound to scream and look down from a high place while stupefied. Experience: 10/10.
Source @gwkx
Get 20% OFF tickets here
3. Go Backward Rollercoasting at Dreamworld Gold Coast, Australia
Source @awkeird
Scare Factor: 7.5/10
Forget about just going forward – that’s old school. The BuzzSaw lets you go 360° in corkscrew, and then you get to do it again – backwards. The panic hits when you realise you didn’t sign up for this second part.
Source @reannemiller_
Get 18% OFF tickets here
4. Get flung around at over 100km/h on the Steel Dragon 2000 Nagashima Spaland, Mie, Japan
Source @t_ponrapato
Scare Factor: 8/10
It’s not an Asian experience if you don’t ride a dragon. The Steel Dragon 2000 boasts the title of ‘world’s longest roller coaster ride’, so there’s plenty of track to do a 100m vertical drop then get shot up and down at over 100km/hour. By the time you’re halfway through this magical ride, you won’t even recall your own name.
Fun Fact: It’s called the Steel Dragon because it required more steel reinforcements for earthquake protection.
5. Fly like Superman at Warner Brothers Movie World Gold Coast, Australia
Source @sssssoojin
Scare Factor: 7/10
If you’re a villain in the DC Universe, you’ll know nothing stops Clark Kent from saving Metropolis. On Superman Escape, you get to fly like the man himself through Ground Zero at super speed with nausea-inducing corkscrews.
Get 12% OFF tickets here
Source @themeparktraveler86
6. Accelerate faster than an F1 supercar at Dodonpa Fuji-Q Highland, Fujiyoshida Yamanashi, Japan
Source @coasterguru
Scare Factor: 9.5/10
Holding the title for record for fastest roller coaster acceleration in the world, this ride accelerates faster than Lewis Hamilton – it goes from 0 to 172 km/h in 1.8 seconds! Close your eyes and you’ll almost believe you’re experiencing hyperdrive. If it helps with the nerves, the majestic Mount Fuji is in the background, but you’ll probably be going too fast to look at it in your super kawaii cart.
7. Launch yourself into a 90-degree drop on Gravity Max LihPao Land, Taichung, Taiwan
Source @oldcoaster
Scare Factor: 7/10
The highlight of this roller coaster: the torturous wait for a 90-degree drop you can’t back out of. Even burly uncles who ride Harley Davidsons in biker leather will have their vocal cords turning into high pitched squeals when *this* beat drops.
8. Zoom through the narrow desert on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Roller Coaster Tokyo Disneyland, Japan
Source @disneyland_aperture
Scare Factor: 6/10
Get down and dirty Indiana Jones-style and bolt through close shaves with (plastic) rocks, caves, and dinosaur bones, all while housed in a classic cargo train. If you’ve got kids who can’t quite handle the intense rush of the other roller coasters, this is one of the mildest rides on the list.
Source @southerncaliforniabelle
Skip the queue and get a 1-DAY pass at $99*!
*A 1-day pass at the counter retails at ¥7,400 (~S$118.40).
9. Ride the fastest roller coaster in Asia: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Formula Rossa
Source @ferrariworldabudhabi
Source @coasterforce
Scare Factor: 9/10
Despite not beating Fuji-Q for fastest acceleration, Ferrari World’s Formula Rossa retains the title for fastest rollercoaster in Asia. You get to go up to F1 speeds (~240km/h), and the ride is so intense that all passengers are required to put on safety goggles, because even a tiny bug hitting you at that speed is going to hurt.
10. Go Floorless on the Hair Raiser at Ocean Park Hong Kong
Scare Factor: 9/10
At this ride, keeping your eyes down at the floor-less base isn’t going to help you escape the scare. Prepare to plunge, loop, dangle, corkscrew, and get airtime on this scenic ride that gets you a stunning view of the South China Sea – if you can keep your eyes open long enough to appreciate it.
Source @coasterarmy
Buy 10% OFF tickets or get a family package* here
*Family package consists of 2 adult tickets + 1 free child admission.
Must-visit attractions in Asia
The pursuit of wanderlust is our escape from the mundanity of everyday life. No matter what others say, the adrenaline rush gives us a breath of fresh air to fuel us for when we get back to the office. Unfortunately, our love for adrenaline rush thins out our wallets, and we often find ourselves scrimping and saving on the joy of shopping just to afford our next wanderlust adventure.
This time, you’re spared. With Changi Recommends’ slashed prices at selected theme parks, you’re going to be enjoying yourself without the running your bank account dry. Plus, if you get a deal through Changi Recommends, you get to skip the queue, getting more time for other activities.
Speaking of running bank accounts dry, Changi Recommends makes sure that your data is taken care of too. No more paying three-digit bills for overseas data roaming, because renting their super portable Wi-Fi routers will make sure that you catch the peak hour on your Instagram for the most likes, at far lower prices.
Add these roller coasters in your itinerary the next time you plan a trip around Asia, because with these slashed prices, you’ll enjoy yourself while spending less. To top it all off, Changi Recommends is currently in talks to offer attraction tickets to other amusement parks and rides. Check out their page the next time you plan a trip and you might find activities you never even thought about!
Find out more about Changi Recommends’ theme park deals
This post was brought to you by Changi Recommends.