Riders seek thrills on a roller coaster in Guangzhou, southern China's Guangdong province, on Monday, January 21, 2008. [Photo: xkb.com.cn]

A roller coaster with vertical tracks began welcoming thrill-seekers on Monday in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.

The facility is a new landmark at the city's Chimelong Paradise amusement park, and at 80 meters tall, with a one-kilometer long track, it is claimed to be the "king of all roller coasters."

Among the first riders on Monday were 23 finalists of the 2008 Miss Chinese International Pageant. Ten additional people from around the country won the opportunity to ride through fierce online bidding.

Their ride began with a smooth, 80-meter ascent, giving them a view equivalent to that from a 32-story building; then, after seconds' pause, they were swept up into a vertical dive at speeds of up to 33 meters per second. Their adventure was complete after traveling through several loops, an underground tunnel and a lake.

The roller coaster was designed by Swiss company Bolliger & Mabillard, and is said to be among the world's most expensive roller coasters.

(CRI January 22, 2008)