The huge tubular slide that generated a whirlwind on social media earlier this year has been put on trial run at a shopping mall in Shanghai's Pudong New Area.

The 20-meter-tall steel slide, put in place by the Shanghai-Hong Kong New World Department Store on Pujian Road, opened to some of the store's customers from Monday, sending them from the fifth floor to the ground in just 16 seconds.

It is part of the store's efforts to woo customers, said Tang Yan, the store's manager."Its safety index is much higher than the programs of an amusement park."

China Daily's reporter was among the first group to try out the slide, finding that the speed picked up quickly before slowing down at a moderate slope close to the end of it.

Customers were required to use the slide one by one, and wrap their legs in cotton bags to avoid injury from the abrasion.

They were also asked to cross their arms in front of their chest as staff members helped them slide down at the entrance and helped them up near the exit.

Currently the facility is open only to the store's VIP members at three time slots on work days. Users should be aged between 7 and 60, and should be 1.3 to 1.9 meters tall.

They should also be unafraid of heights and free from medical conditions such as heart disease.

Scan & Watch! Video: Journalist tries out the giant slide