Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
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Shanghai Ocean Aquarium consists of two pyramid-shaped buildings - a main building and an annexe. The covered area is 20,500 square meters (about 263,910 square feet). As well as the large exhibition area, there is a gift shop and a restaurant that can seat 300 persons.
The main building is divided into different exhibition zones: China Zone, South America Zone, Australia Zone, Africa Zone, Southeast Asia Zone, Cold Water Zone, Polar Zone, Sea and Shore, Deep Ocean Zone and Special Exhibitions. The exhibits include more than 300 types and 15,000 water creatures and rare fishes, such as poison dart frogs, jellyfishes, moonfish, leafy sea dragons and emperor penguins.
Currently, this is the only aquarium in the world to have a China Zone. This zone specializes in exhibiting aquatic organisms and ecology of the Yangtze valley as well as some endangered aquatic species in China. Most creatures in this zone are under national protection such as the Chinese sturgeon, mullet, Yangtze alligator and giant salamander.
The Ocean Aquarium also displays the geography and culture of their native places by pictures, voices, etc. Overall the aquarium provides visitors with a tour covering the world's five Continents and four Oceans.
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After buying tickets on the first floor, visitors start the tour of the main building by going up to the third floor, ultimately making their way down to the basement.
The third floor has seven exhibition areas, i.e. the VIP hall, science education room and a waterfall. The China, South America, Australia zones and Special Exhibitions Zone are also located on this floor.
The second floor has the Africa, Southeast Asia, Cold Water and Polar Zones. The Sea and Shore exhibit is also located here.
The basement is the main part of the aquarium where Deep Ocean Zone is located. The submarine viewing tunnel enables visitors to have a wonderful tour here. After touring the basement, visitors may return to the first floor for meals and to purchase souvenirs and gifts.
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| Spotted Seals (Cold Water Zone) | 09:45-09:55 14:15-14:25 |
| Penguins (Polar Zone) | 10:00-10:15 14:30-14:45 |
| Wide Ocean (Deep Ocean Zone) | 10:30-10:45 15:00-15:15 |
| Shoals of Fish (Deep Ocean Zone) | 10:50-11:00 15:20-15:30 |
| Sharks (Deep Ocean Zone) | 10:50-11:10 15:20-15:40 |
How to get to Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
By Metro:Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Lujiazui Station. Get out from Exit 1 and you can see the Oriental Pearl Tower, which is next to the aquarium.
By Bus:1. Take bus 81, 82, 314, 939, 993, Cailu Special Line, Lujiazui Financial City Line 1 or Lujiazui Financial City Loop Line and get off at Lujiazui Huanlu Fenghelu Station.
2. Take City Sightseeing Bus Line 2 and get off at Dongfang Mingzhu Guangbo Dianshita (Oriental Pearl Tower) Station.
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| Entrance Fee | Adults: CNY 160 Children between 1 and 1.4m (3.3 and 4.6 feet): CNY 110 Free for children under 1 meter |
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| Combo Tickets | Ocean Aquarium + Science and Technology Museum: CNY 200 |
| Ocean Aquarium + 88th sightseeing floor of Jin Mao Tower: CNY 225 | |
| Ocean Aquarium + Oriental Pearl Tower: CNY 310 | |
| Opening Hours | 9:00-18:00 9:00-21:00 for Summer Holiday (July and August), National Day Holiday (Oct. 1 - 7) and Chinese New Year Holiday (last day of a year and the following six days in Chinese calendar) Tickets sales and admission end half an hour before the closing time. |
Nearby Attraction: Natural Wild Insect Kingdom
See also:
12 Popular Shanghai Activities to Survive Summer Top 5 Shanghai Tourist Sites in August 15 Things to Do in Shanghai with Kids 8 Fun Things to Do in Shanghai with Family Top 3 Shanghai Ocean Parks: Which one to go?