Eight reasons to ride the wild dragon

Dragon Khan, a rollercoaster with eight inverted loops, is available in the PortAventura theme park. [Provided to China Daily]

PortAventura is a popular holiday theme park in Salou, Spain and is divided into themed zones: the Mediterranean, Polynesia, Mexico, the Far West and China.

And it is in China zone you'll find arguably the biggest thrill on offer: the Dragon Khan.

The park claims this ride is the only rollercoaster in Europe with eight inverted loops. Eight is a lucky number in Chinese but the ride is also inspired by an old Chinese fable.

Legend has it that a proud prince once tried to dethrone the Emperor in ancient China, and the gods punished him by turning him into a dragon and condemning him to a life of aimless wandering.

Today the emperor roams through PortAventura incarnated in the Dragon Khan ride.

Dragon Khan at PortAventura will unload his whole fury with eight vertiginous loops and 110 km/h of purest excitement.

Venue: Salou, Spain

Website: http://www.portaventura.co.uk/