Work is progressing on an experience destination in Tieling New Town, Liaoning Province, China, with a waterpark set to feature when the first phase of the La Viva development opens later this year.

La Viva is developer Hsin Chong’s first large-scale integrated project to be built in mainland China. Aside from the waterpark, once complete the eco-friendly urban space will include retail, entertainment, tourist attractions, restaurants, hotels, office space and residential apartments.

Situated at the heart of the development, the 30,000sq m indoor/outdoor Aqua Wave Waterpark – designed by Forrec – will offer visitors a range of facilities, including a lazy river, wave pool, Double Flow Riders, a sand-bottomed pool with cabanas and a number of slides. Neptune Benson is supplying the park’s aquatic filtration system.

Of the slides to be installed at the park, the most interesting is the first ever Topsy Turvy Explosion combination slide by Proslide, which provided all of the waterpark’s slides. Also included will be an Explosion Bowl combination slide and the Tantrum Tornado raft ride, which will include a unique light and sound show as riders descend down the slide. The waterpark’s slide tower will include a drop box, sending guests straight down as the floor disappears from beneath them.

Aqua Wave will also offer a Snorkel Pool, themed to resemble a mediterranean coastal city and allowing guests to enjoy a pool with underwater views of tropical fish.

“For the Aqua Wave Water Park, we have used our years of knowledge in producing different types of water parks to create a truly unique facility,” said Louis Vicic, senior director of waterparks at Forrec. “Hsin Chong’s direction was to redefine water parks in China and to provide guests with one of the most creative, innovative, thrilling and dynamic indoor water “resorts” with the best hygiene condition in China.”

In addition to the waterpark, La Viva will include Xing Yue Southbank – a retail and commercial development split into five regions. Each region will offer its own unique architectural style, aiming to provide an ‘around the world journey in eight hours’. The waterpark will be part of the ‘Nature and Science’ region, which will also include a movie-themed hotel, a wedding world and high-end fashion and luxury retail.

The first phase of development covers 1.8sq km (0.69sq m) and will include the waterpark, retail elements, residential flats, an international school and a hotel. The first phase is thought to have cost around CN¥2bn (US$322m, €304m, £220m), with around two thirds made up of residential flats.