World's Biggest Swing With Speeds Of Up To 80mph Opens In China

The world's biggest swing has opened for business in China, ready to hurl thrill-seekers into a giant canyon at speeds of up to 120kmph (80mph). Er, NOT FOR ME, CLIVE.

The record-setting cliff swing is inside the Longgang National Geopark in Yunyang County, which is in China's south-western municipality of Chongqing, having officially opened yesterday (30 June) following months of trials.

According to reports, the incredible swing is able to reach angles of 90 degrees, and can carry those brave enough to ride it 70m (230ft) over the cliff into the canyon - not forgetting such high speeds.

Asia Wire

Footage from its first day in business shows tourists strapped in to harnessed, screaming as they're launched from a 108m (355ft) tower through the 100m (330ft) metal rainbow arch.

Visitors to the park will find the huge swing on a cliff that sits some 700m (2,300ft) above the river Shisun.

The beauty spot is a haven for adrenaline junkies, as it is also home to a looped glass observation deck and mountainside roller coaster that tips to give riders the sensation of plunging over the edge. Once again, absolutely not.

Asia Wire

Asia Wire

The first of iof its kind, it was originally due to open in early 2020. However, plans were inevitably delayed thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, which has affected many tourist sites across the globe.

Following a successful trial and four months of rigorous testing by the China Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute, the swing is now finally open for action.

Asia Wire

Asia Wire

As part of the testing process, engineers sent from Beijing put the structure under simulated conditions - including typhoon winds, earthquakes and even lightning strikes - in order to ensure it could withstand what the elements threw at it.

Chinese state media claim that the ride has even outdone the Nevis Swing in Queenstown, New Zealand, in terms of speed and size - despite the fact the Kiwi offering bills itself as the 'Most Famous Swing in the World', allowing people to swing the 300m arc by themselves or tandem with a friend.

But it looks like the newer swing in Longgang National Geopark will provide ample competition to its New Zealand rival... Though to confirm, I'm not going anywhere near either of 'em.

Topics: World News, News, China

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman