Sunway Lagoon Theme Park describes itself as Malaysia’s premier theme park and Asia’s Best Attraction and that’s a fair comment.

It is spread over 80 acres and is part of the wider 800-acre Sunway Integrated Resort City which includes a five-star hotel, a shopping mall, residential blocks, a hospital and more.

Built on derelict tin mining land in Petaling Jaya, the development is a successful example of rehabilitating an industrial wasteland.

Sunway Lagoon theme park has six sections.

1. Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon

This is Asia’s first Nickelodeon-themed park and includes exciting water rides and attractions – Monsoon 360, Jungle Fury, Kubarango, Splish Splash, Primeval and Hippo Valley.

Look out for the kids’ favourite Nickelodeon characters like Spongebob Squarepants, Dora The Explorer and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

2. Water Park

The Water Park comprises Waters of Africa, an African-themed water park, and Surf Beach. The Congo Challenge is a six-lane water slide where people can race each other downhill headfirst on mats.

There are a number of other slides and tubes to enjoy as well as a lazy river and a waterfall.

But the highlight of the Water Park has to be the Vuvuzela, which the park describes as the world’s largest water ride. It is similar to the vortex ride at i-City, but Sunway’s version is much higher and lasts longer.

Surf Beach is said to be the world’s largest man-made surf beach with the wave machine capable of producing waves of up to eight feet high. The backdrop to the beach is a 75-foot high volcano which is supposed to erupt periodically.

The Surf Beach is a nice place to relax and if there early you might be able to grab one of the curtained gazebos on the island for that extra tropical feeling.

Of course proper swimming attire is required for this section of the park, and changing rooms and lockers are provided.

Another popular attraction at the Water Park is the Waterplexx 5D, a fun virtual ride in a cinema-like setting and with seats that move while watching the four-minute movie wearing 3D glasses.

The plastic seats and puddles of water on the floor give a clue of what to expect as the audience gets splashed and soaked during the experience.

3. Amusement Park

For landlubbers who prefer to stay dry, there is plenty to do in World of Adventure including riding a roller coaster at the Lost City of Gold, a spinning ride called Apache Pots, and stomach-churning upside down rides on the Tomahawk and Pirate’s Revenge.

The Wild Wild West has tamer rides for younger kids such as the Butch Cassidy Trail, the Alamo and, the Grand Canyon River Rapids.

4. Wildlife Park

This is a great little zoo specialising in cute, cuddly, friendly animals and a few not-so-cuddly ones like eagles, pythons and tigers.

The petting enclosure is a big hit with families who enjoy hand-feeding the rabbits, tortoises and guinea pigs, as well as petting the ponies.

Over in the bird enclosure there are some amazingly friendly budgies as well as kites, owls, peacocks, macaws and cockatoos.

5. Extreme Park

You can reach the Extreme Park by crossing a 428-metre long pedestrian suspension bridge (again claimed to be the world’s longest).

There are a whole bunch of adrenaline-rush activities here for the thrill seeker. You can experience weightlessness (and probably a good deal of nausea) on G Force X, a slingshot ride which hurtles you 65m into the air at 120 km per hour and apparently produces 5 G’s of force.

You can play war-games with paintball guns, drive quad bikes, race Go-Karts, practise your climbing skills on the vertical climbing wall and bounce on the Power Jump Bungee Trampoline. There is also a 203-metre Flying Fox.

6. Scream Park

Finally there is the Scream Park, a modern take on the old house of horrors. There are currently various scenarios to scare yourself silly with, The Pontianak Theatre of Fear, Tunnel of Penanggal in 3D, Rumah Hantu in 3Dx, Terminator X, and Horrorwood Studios 2.

In addition to frightening special effects, Scream Park employs live actors who jump out and scream at you, blow down the back of your neck and do lots of other scary tricks.

Sunway Lagoon has just one price covering entrance to all six parks.

Tip: Buy your ticket in advance through Sunway’s Online Ticketing and you may find special deals.

Note that most of the activities in the Extreme Park carry an extra fee (Bungy Jump, G Force X, Go Kart, Paintball Combat). Sunway Lagoon is open daily from 10am to 6pm.

This article first appeared in Malaysia Traveller.