Fantastic Fountain Shows from Around the World

Submitted by Sherrill
From: http://www.whooknoo.com/

For millennia, artists have attempted to capture water and light, but today’s fountain designers work with the actual mediums, creating fluid sculptures that draw hundreds of thousands of people daily.

Fountains of Bellagio

Location: Las Vegas, USA

Statistics:
Dimensions: 50,000 square feet
Gallons released per minute: up to 17,000
Cost: 50 million USD

Fountains of Bellagio in Action— http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP0K6H2QK7A

One of Las Vegas’ most captivating (and certainly more elegant) spectacles, the Fountains of Bellagio dance every fifteen minutes to the tune of everything from Frank Sinatra to Andrea Bocelli. The Bellagio Casino glitters above the 20 million gallon man-made lake, which houses the 1,000 individual fountains that create the show.

Interlocking arcs of sparkling water are perfectly synchronized to the state-of-the-art sound system, prompting Steven Spielberg, of all people, to call it “the greatest single piece of public entertainment on planet Earth.”

Dubai Fountain

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Statistics:
Dimensions: 1870 square feetGallons released per minute: 22,000
Cost: 220 million USD

Dubai Fountain in Action— http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD69C0y6_J0

An anemone of light and water blooms from the artificial lake’s dark surface. Impressive, you think. However, is it Dubai impressive? Then another anemone appears, and another, and another, and another. The water arcs high and explodes in massive stars of light like the finale of a major fireworks display.

Located just blocks from the world’s tallest building, Dubai Fountain plumes to nearly 500 feet (equivalent to a 50-story building), often to the ethereal tune of that perennial fountain favorite, “Time to Say Goodbye” as performed by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. The display uses 6,000 lights and can be seen from over 20 miles away. Performances take place every 20 minutes.

King Fahd’s Fountain

Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Statistics:
Dimensions: Height up to 1023 feet
Gallons released per minute: 9,000Cost: N/A

Fahd’s Fountain in Action—http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwkC69T-Ep4&feature=related

A single plume of salt water from the Red Sea spouts to 1023 feet at a speed of 233 miles per hour, frothing and cascading against the deep blue Saudi Arabian sky. More of a spectacle than a show (this plume doesn’t assume a swan shape), King Fahd’s Fountain is worth seeing for the sheer majesty of a tower of water which reaches heights of the Eiffel Tower.

Moonlight Rainbow Fountain

Location: Seoul, Korea

Statistics:
Dimensions: 3740 square feetGallons of water released per minute: 190
Cost: 16.1 million USD

Moonlight Rainbow Fountain in Action— http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxLnoNKSlZQ

The Guinness Book of Records lists the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain as the world’s longest bridge fountain. Programmed to display about 100 different formations, the fountain undulates and pulses in a shifting rainbow as cars zoom across the bridge, the glow of headlights adding an element of spontaneity and immediacy to the delicate play of water and light.

Musical Fountain

Location: Jerudong Park, Brunei

Statistics:
Dimensions: (Jerudong Park) 57-hectare
Gallons of water released per minute: N/A
Cost: (Jerudong Park Building Cost) 1 Billion USD

Musical Fountain in Action— http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9gLOedkZQ8&feature=related

The tiny country of Brunei (on the island of Borneo) hosts one of Asia’s most impressive fountain shows, notable for its glowing jewel tones and delicate floral motifs. Located in Brunei’s Jerudong Amusement Park, the fountain also serves as a backdrop for laser shows and holographic cartoons.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda Music Fountain

Location: Xi’an City, China

Statistics:
Dimensions: 65,000 square foot
Gallons of water released per minute: N/A
Cost: 14.7 billion USD

Music Fountain in Action— http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kljMj7qqIH8&feature=related

Worth mentioning for its name alone, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Music Fountain is notable for its majestic backdrop, the ancient and eponymous pagoda, built over 1200 years ago. The fountain show is free and can attract crowds of up to 100,000 people in the summertime. The beautiful display spouts folding landscapes of water and fire while the atmospheric mist rises below the ancient pagoda.

Old Faithful

Location: Yellowstone National Park, USA

Statistics:
Dimensions: Height 110-185 feet
Gallons of water released per minute: approx. 2500
Cost: NA

Old Faithful in Action— http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWrklFuYnb0

There’s nothing like a classic. Located in Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful geyser has been delighting visitors for hundreds of years. Water jets from 100-180 feet, roiling in fluffy clouds. Shows may last between 1.5 and 4.5 minutes but show times remain unpredictable.