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The world is a diverse place, but even so – nothing could have prepared us for the slew of weird and wonderful theme parks that have been invented. From gaudy religious spectacle to masochistic bunkers, there’s a bespoke adventure land out there for every manner of fetish. Here’s a list of the weirdest theme parks we’ve found.
Dwarf Empire, China
We’re sure this shouldn’t be allowed… but maybe in China? The defence behind this jaw-dropping idea of having a troop of little people cooped up in mushroom houses, performing to packed audiences is that they can avoid discrimination from the outside world. Hmm, nice try but we’re not convinced.
Futuroscope, France
Futuroscope is the future, as envisaged by the French during the 1980s. In short, it isn’t very exciting. Highlights range from an IMAX 3D cinema (big deal) and their unique innovation of the bicycle boat, which is essentially a glorified pedalo. The masterminds behind Futuroscope are looking to build a second one in China, so watch this space.
Toilet Culture Park, South Korea
Calling all fans of toilet humour, you’ll love this place. Opened in 2012 to honour the South Korean legend of ‘Mr Toilet’ – a former local mayor who was born in a toilet and founded the World Toilet Association – this unusual tourist attraction centres on his large, toilet-shaped home, which is now a museum. Highlights include a large statue-on-a-toilet posed like Rodin’s Thinker, and a selection of different toilet types from around the world.
Soviet Bunker, Lithuania
One for the hardcore masochists out there, the Soviet Bunker is a popular tourist attraction designed to emulate the harrowing experiences of prisoners in Soviet-era Lithuania. Cough up a lump sum of cash and you’ll be thrown in an authentic USSR bunker, while being shouted at by formidable guards who were actual members of the former Soviet army. If this isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time, we don’t know what is.
Holy Land, Buenos Aires
If you liked Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, then you’ll love this. Staking its claim as the world’s first religious theme park, the Holy Land or ‘Tierra Santa’ promises a theatrical spectacle of staff dressed in Biblical costumes, the Genesis show, and a giant glowing Christ rising every hour, on the hour, from behind a Holy Mount.
Feature image © Beatrice Murch/flickr
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas.
