The Perfect Combination of Indoor and Outdoor: Water World, Shanghai L+SNOW
In September 2024, Shanghai’s Lingang Special Area welcomed a landmark attraction: Shanghai L+SNOW Indoor Ski Resort—the world’s largest indoor ski facility— complemented by a water park called, “Water World.” This new leisure complex is further enhancing Lingang’s reputation as a leading cultural and tourism destination in China.
WhiteWater’s Vision for Water World
The Lingang Free Trade Zone serves as a key driver of Shanghai’s economic growth, bringing together leading Chinese enterprises while winning over top global companies to invest. At the same time, Lingang is emerging as a tourism hot spot, drawing visitors to Haichang Ocean Park, museums, and Dishui Lake—China’s largest urban artificial lake—as well as hotels and more.
One of the core strategic objectives of Shanghai’s Lingang Special Area is to establish a world-class cultural and tourism ecosystem. To achieve this standard, WhiteWater’s extensive global expertise was called upon to play a major role in the development of Water World.
We designed the park layout and theme and supplied 20 water slides, two AquaPlay structures, 54 AquaSplash toys, and a 13-meter-wide wave pool for Water World, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces to create a dynamic, multi-dimensional guest experience. The indoor water park, Viking Harbor, spans 17,000 square meters, while the outdoor section, Ice Fire Canyon, covers 12,000 square meters. The outdoor water park is built on the rooftop, making it the only one of its kind in Mainland China.
“There are still very few water parks in China that have both indoor and outdoor sections. Water World is a crucial part of L+SNOW Indoor Ski Resort, featuring nearly 20 water attractions that cater to visitors of all ages,” said Bingrui Li, General Manager of the resort.
“It not only enhances L+SNOW Indoor Ski Resort’s offerings but also helps to attract more families.”
Design That Brings Stories to Life
WhiteWater played a pivotal role in the entire design process of Water World, from conceptual design to schematic design and design development. Our Design Services team carefully considered every aspect of the visitor experience, including safety, ease of operation, and guest circulation, to create a seamless and engaging environment.
“It was a pure joy for us to work with the client to realize their vision of a world-class destination. The park presented unique challenges and a visionary concept that resulted in a truly one-of-a-kind attraction,” “said Rob Miksza, Design Team Lead at WhiteWater.
At the heart of our design for Water World is a Nordic theme, bringing to life elements such as hot springs, ancient volcanoes, and enchanting northern villages reminiscent of fairy tales. Through detail-oriented storytelling, we have infused depth into every element of the park, ensuring each attraction and slide adds something unique and offers a truly captivating experience.
“Water World is extremely popular, with young people and families as our main visitor groups. We have incorporated various Viking elements for both adults and children to fully immerse themselves in the joy of water play,” said Li.
Immersive Indoor Experiences for Every Explorer
Inside the 17,000-square-meter “Viking Harbor,” WhiteWater has designed three themed zones.
“We overlaid a series of experiences that the whole family could enjoy. Children can play comfortably in three distinct play zones focused on interactive and creative play set amongst fjords, bubbling geysers, and a village of wooden huts.” said Rob.
The aquatic play structure here is inspired by the concept of a shipwreck island. The custom AquaPlay is built in the shape of a boat and is surrounded by AquaSplash Toys. Additionally, the area features five kids’ slides and a children’s pool—all encouraging young visitors to explore.
The real thrill is ahead: we have brought an AquaLoop indoors, featuring a 20-meter drop and a total slide length of 110 meters. Starting from a 39-meter launch platform, riders experience a heart-pounding free-fall before being propelled at a 45-degree angle into a full loop.
An Exceptional Outdoor Water Park Experience
The 12,000-square-meter outdoor area, “Ice and Fire Canyon,” is packed with thrilling attractions, offering an unparalleled experience. Visitors can witness multiple slides rushing out from a volcano-themed tower, the top of which is 79.8 meters above ground.
One of the highlights is the six-person raft ride, a Family Blaster + Boomerango Fusion, which launches riders from the volcano’s crater into a dark enclosed tunnel before plunging into an exhilarating outdoor drop. The raft then surges up a near-vertical wall, creating a zero-gravity and then a free-fall sensation, before making a grand splash into a landing pool.
On the other side of the volcano, the roughly 15-meter-tall 4-lane Mat Racer invites visitors to go head to head with friends. Competitors launch simultaneously, speeding down vibrant-coloured lanes, navigating a series of thrilling drops, and racing toward the finish line at top speed.
Beyond the adrenaline rush, at the base of the volcano lies the 13-meter wave pool called, “Storm Bay” (667 square meters), a spacious relaxation area that accommodates large crowds, reducing wait times across the park. It also serves as a central hub where families can gather, unwind, and enjoy aquatic fun. Additionally, the outdoor area features an AquaPlay 1050 called, “Viking Village.”
A Billboard for the Water Park
As visitors arrive at Shanghai L+SNOW Indoor Ski Resort, one of the first things they will notice is the striking blue AquaTube extending from the building. Starting from a 39-meter launch platform and stretching 142 meters in length, this slide is translucent, allowing curious spectators to see how riders start from an outdoor platform before seamlessly transitioning indoors to finish in a runout lane.
“Overall, Water World combines adventure, relaxation and a setting pulled directly from the imagination and will provide a memorable experience for visitors of all ages. Our team is proud to have contributed to a destination that not only entertains but also creates that special ‘wow factor!’” said Rob.
