Mala Bay's exceptional management and quality are evident
all around, beginning with the extensively-trained personnel,
who have been drilled to deal with all kinds of situations.
Life guards are posted everywhere and assistants strictly
monitor all rides and provide help at the top and bottom
of slides. Detailed water quality-monitoring signs
are posted everywhere, in English and Chinese. For
that matter, all signs and information are in both languages,
making the park user-friendly for non-Chinese as well.
Although some locals have balked at the normal admission
price of NT$700, US consultants are quick to point out that
this is a bargain by international standards for comparable
parks, which average US$29 per day. Most people who
have experienced Mala Bay first-hand will probably, in the
end, agree that their money was well-spent. The number
of visitors so far--reaching up to over 10,000 on some days--already
testify to the park's success. Note that the park
does limit access on very busy days, meaning a possible
waits or even turn-arounds on holidays. It's best
to call ahead and check.
As the heat can typically be expected to continue for a
few more months, Taichung residents can now take solace
from the fact that relief--and a lot of fun--are now very
close at hand.
DETAILS:
Malay Bay is open during the summer from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
on weekdays, opening 8:30 a.m. on weekends. In September,
the park will open 30 minutes later, closing at 6 p.m.
From October on, opening will be another 30 minutes later,
10 a.m. on weekdays. All-day general admission is
NT$700 for visitors over 110 centimeters; NT$600 for students,
senior citizens over 65 years old and handicapped; NT$630
for general group tickets; NT$550 for student ticket groups;
and NT$200 for children between 90 and 110 centimeters.
Starlight general tickets, for admission after 4 p.m., are
NT$420.
GETTING
THERE:
Until a new freeway exit opens, putting the park only 900
meters from the highway, getting to Mala Bay is slightly
inconvenient. Southbound freeway travelers should
get off at the Sanyi (Sani) exit, get onto the main Sanfeng
(Sanyi-Fengyuan) Road, head south and turn right onto the
Chiahou (Tachia-Houli) Road, heading west until you seen
the blue Mala Bay signs. Northbound freeway travelers
should get off at the Fengyuan exit, head north on Sanfeng
Road, before turning left onto Chiahou Road. Non-freeway
travelers can take Provincial Route 3 to Fengyuan, connect
to Provincial Highway 13, head north towards Houli and follow
the blue Mala signs onto Chiahou Road (County Rt. 132).
For public transportation, Fengyuan City Bus Company now
has frequent buses to the park from both Taichung city and
Fengyuan city train stations. For any inquiries, call
the park, toll-free, at 080-054-080.
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