Would you ride this crazy thing!???
If you are frightened to death of Chinese escalators and too lazy to take the stairs, finally there is another transportation option for your enjoyment.
Sliding shoppers from the fifth to the ground floor in just 16 seconds, Printemps Department Store in Pudong officially opened its 54-meter-long super slide today — for its VIP customers.
This is despite earlier reports in February that the slide would be ready for action after the Lantern Festival on February 22nd. Apparently, the mall wanted to run some additional safety tests, just in case.
The so-called “Happy Slide” sends you down so fast that riders are encouraged to keep their arms crossed and made to wrap themselves up inside bags to avoid scrapes and bruises.
Unfortunately, the slide is currently only open to the mall’s VIP customers; however, they claim it will be open to the public “soon” and be free of charge. We’ll have to see how long that lasts.
CRI talked to one of the first brave souls to zip down the five-story dragon-esque tube slide, while he survived the experience, he said he wasn’t sure if small children would.
“I was really scared, because during those bends my hands felt numb. And then I came down; and more than that, I was scared, so how would children feel? Maybe some children who are quite curious and would like to try it or something, but I’d suggest it would be best not to let them,” he said.
Malls officials say you have to between the ages of 7 and 50 to give it a try.
People’s Daily reports that the inspiration from the slide came from a 12.9-meter-tall slide in Singapore’s Changi Airport. They also tweeted out a GIF of what it’s like to take a ride inside:
Who’s going down this slide with us?
[Images via People’s Daily]