04:10Turning the tables - Tourists beat the heat with 'water mahjong' at Chongqing aqua park
Locals and tourists in Chongqing were keeping cool during the heatwave, playing popular games like mahjong, poker and chess in swimming pools at the Meixin Red Wine Town amusement park, as seen in footage on Wednesday.
"Because this is my first experience, I feel very rich," said one visitor, Peng. "I feel very happy and cool when playing mahjong. I don't worry about being hot. I can also have a look at the beautiful scenery outside."
Tourists are seen sitting on chairs in the pools, playing the traditional games at floating tables and even enjoying refreshments. The park has offered the service for around 10 years, while staff hope the craze will become a part of everyday life.
"Our purpose is to promote a more leisure holiday lifestyle," said one employee Tian Zhong. "For example, we have a series of activities such as water chess, water poker, water tug of war, water yoga, and so on. We will graft them together to let citizens experience a richer holiday life."
The park itself combines elements of both Chinese and Western culture, with traditional amusement games, the water park and even working vineyards where visitors can learn to make wine.
Chongqing has seen temperatures consistently above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), with the region and others under red alert for extreme heat.
04:10Locals and tourists in Chongqing were keeping cool during the heatwave, playing popular games like mahjong, poker and chess in swimming pools at the Meixin Red Wine Town amusement park, as seen in footage on Wednesday.
"Because this is my first experience, I feel very rich," said one visitor, Peng. "I feel very happy and cool when playing mahjong. I don't worry about being hot. I can also have a look at the beautiful scenery outside."
Tourists are seen sitting on chairs in the pools, playing the traditional games at floating tables and even enjoying refreshments. The park has offered the service for around 10 years, while staff hope the craze will become a part of everyday life.
"Our purpose is to promote a more leisure holiday lifestyle," said one employee Tian Zhong. "For example, we have a series of activities such as water chess, water poker, water tug of war, water yoga, and so on. We will graft them together to let citizens experience a richer holiday life."
The park itself combines elements of both Chinese and Western culture, with traditional amusement games, the water park and even working vineyards where visitors can learn to make wine.
Chongqing has seen temperatures consistently above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), with the region and others under red alert for extreme heat.