In a post-Olympics bid to draw tourists to the dwindling Olympic Green, part of the interior of the Water Cube National Aquatics Center underwent a RMB 350 million transformation to become Asia's largest water park, opening to the public in August 2010.

Covering 12,000 square-meters, the Water Cube Water Park is a splashtastic funzone for all the family, with a lazy river, wave machine, spa area and 13 wacky water slides with names like Tornado, Bullet Bowl and Speed Slide. Water Park patrons enjoying these racy rides are kept safe under the watchful eye of 60 lifeguards.

Decked out with vibrant floating jellyfish and giant bubbles, the building's fun-soaked interior now lives up to the building's colorful exterior and promises to keep kids amused for more than a couple of hours. Reports of sporadic and somewhat incongruous entertainment (live bands and Vegas-style showgirls) add an element of the surreal to the mix.

Bags and clothing can be stored in lockers and for anyone arriving unprepared, swimsuits, goggles, towels and rafts are all on sale at the entrance.

Go to this essay about the Water Cube Water Park for pics and more information.