The world's biggest aquarium tank is now in Zhuhai. While China doesn't yet have the world's best ocean parks, it is beginning to compete, and Hong Kong's, Zhuhai's, and Shanghai's are certainly world class.
These top five ocean parks and aquariums are recommended additions to a China tour, especially if you are traveling with kids.
1. Ocean Park in Hong Kong
China's most popular theme park according to attendance receives about 7 and a half million visitors a year and ranks as the 13th most visited in the world. Young people in the region like going there for the rides and animals.
It's main attractions are the dolphin and sea mammal acts. It also has pandas. It has one of the world's largest aquarium domes with thousands of sea animals.
- The Summit area has world class thrill rides such as the Hair Raiser.
- The Waterfront has Amazing Asian Animals and Aqua City. The Grand Aquarium has one of the world's largest aquariums.
- Old Hong Kong is a new mock-up of old communities of bygone eras.
- Marine World is the favorite with dolphin and killer whale shows.
- The Gandola ride is for amusement and transportation. You can see the park and the ocean from high above.
Ocean Park EntranceIt is on the other side of Victoria Peak from the main Hong Kong city urban area. Because it is so close to Hong Kong's major tourist places such as the Peak, Central, and Aberdeen and transport is convenient, it may continue to be more visited than Chimelong for several more years.
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- Our 2-Day Essence of Hong Kong Seat-in-Coach Tour could include a visit to Ocean Park.
2. Chimelong Ocean Kingdom Officially Has the World's Biggest Aquarium
Chimelong Ocean KingdomIt is a close tossup for China's best park. Ocean Park gets about 1.5 million more visitors annually and the marine acts are better. But Chimelong is catching up so rapidly it may soon surpass Ocean Park. Many tourists might prefer it because it is new and they already went to Ocean Park.
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai is meant to rival the biggest marine theme parks in the world. It opened in 2014, but it is still under construction. It is already the 20th most visited theme park in the world with about six million visitors annually. It is the most popular place in Zhuhai according to TripAdvisor in 2016.
It is twice the size of Ocean Park in Hong Kong and has plush hotels and a lot of other facilities. It has one of the world's longest roller coasters. The main attractions are the marine animals and the aquariums.
The Whale Shark Exhibit tank features the world's largest acrylic panel that is the largest aquarium window in the world (40 meters (130 feet) by 8 meters (27 feet)). The beats the Dubai Mall Aquarium (27 by 108 feet) and holds twice the water approximately. The Guinness Book ranks it as the biggest tank in the world (6 million US gallons) and bigger than the Georgia Aquarium.
- Our 2-Day Tour of Hong Kong and Macau could include a tour of Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, as Zhuhai is next to Macau.
3. Shanghai Aquarium Is World Class
Shanghai AquariumAs of 2016, Shanghai Aquarium is recognized as having one of the world's ten biggest aquarium tanks. It holds 1 million gallons. It has an underwater tunnel that measures 155 meters or 509 feet that is the longest in the world at present. There is a moving walkway inside it, so you can just stand and be conveyed through underneath all the fish and sharks.
It is located near the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Pudong New District of Shanghai. So transport there is convenient through the metro, and there are other big attractions in Pudong you can visit at the same time.
There are eight sections: Asia, South America, Australia, Africa, Cold Water, Polar Region, Sea Water, and Ocean Deep. Some rare aquatic organisms are displayed including endangered species from the Yangtze River.
4. Beijing Aquarium
Foreign tourists like Beijing Aquarium. It is one of China's biggest aquariums with the most complete facilities. It is located at the back section of Beijing Zoo and is near the Beijing Exhibition Center and the Beijing Planetarium. It is rated as among the top 50 things to do in Beijing according to TripAdvisor in 2016.
It is divided into sections: Tropical Forests, Touchable Pond, Undersea Loop, Shark Pier, Chinese Sturgeon Hall, Dolphin-Whale Bay, and Oceanic Theater. There are performances of trained dolphins and other ocean creatures.
To access the aquarium, you first have to enter the zoo (about 40 RMB ticket) and walk through the zoo and pay a separate entrance fee for the aquarium (about 150 RMB).
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5. Dalian Shengya Ocean World
In one of the longest transparent underwater sea tunnels in Asia, a moving passageway leads tourists through the tunnel to get a closer look at various fish, sharks, and other creatures. A great number of aquatic species can be appreciated in it. The performances of divers feeding and interacting with the sharks is one of the highlights.
Tour China Your Way, with Ocean Worlds If You Want
Ocean Park can be enjoyed during your Hong Kong tripOn your tour of China, we can help you visit these large sea worlds or aquariums or other theme parks. Beijing and Hong Kong are China's favorite foreign tourist areas with the top things to do in all of China according to TripAdvisor in 2016. These places are great for families, and here's our top family tour:
- 9 Days in Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai: The Golden Triangle is the choice of most China first timers, and we can tailor it to include Beijing Aquarium or Shanghai Aquarium.
We can also help you plan a totally individual tour. Guides, drivers, and private vehicles can be provided for all the places you want to go. Just let us know your requirements.