In Summer Heat, See the Sea and Enjoy Air Conditioning in Downtown Guangzhou
In the scorching summer, staying at home is undoubtedly not the most comfortable thing to do. In the summer, going out for a walk and seeing things is actually quite important. If there's one thing summer is perfect for, it's the ocean. The cool, azure sea always washes away summer irritability and brings comfort. Actually, in downtown Guangzhou, in the bustling Tianhe district, you can see the ocean and enjoy the beauty of the summer sea—at Grandview Polar Ocean World.
Right in Grandview Mall, there is such a place where you can experience the charm of the ocean. Grandview Polar Ocean World, an aquarium themed around polar marine life, is located inside the mall itself, with comfortable air conditioning and no scorching sun, so you don't have to worry about the summer heat outdoors at all. The Polar Ocean World is divided into ten exhibition areas, each home to different adorable ocean creatures.
Upon entering Grandview Polar Ocean World, you first pass through a long escalator. Here, the escalator is more than just a simple escalator. On its ceiling is a stunning panoramic LED screen. This panoramic screen displays the process from the Big Bang to the birth of the ocean, truly spectacular. Passing through the Big Bang tunnel signifies that the Earth has officially entered the age of the ocean, and your journey at Grandview Polar Ocean World has officially begun!
After the Big Bang zone, you enter the Rainforest Lake area. This zone has a tropical rainforest style, very distinctive. If there's one thing that catches the eye most, it's the small-clawed otters! They will occasionally dart out into the open area, popping their cute little heads out of a lifebuoy. Their clumsy appearance melts the hearts of both adults and children instantly. In the Rainforest Lake, you can also touch starfish with your own hands, bottle-feed the gorgeous koi, and feed the adorable little sea turtles.
With the help of the keepers, you can tie Chinese cabbage to a feeding stick. The little turtles will stretch their bodies out of the water to grab the cabbage, and watching them scramble for the food is very entertaining.
After the Rainforest Lake comes the Jellyfish Wonderland. Jellyfish have lived on Earth for countless years. These marine animals, having no bones, can transform into all kinds of strange shapes when swimming in water, mysterious and enchanting. In the Jellyfish Wonderland, different tanks house various types of jellyfish. Coupled with the mysterious lighting, the whole area is mysterious and magnificent.
Passing through the dimly lit Jellyfish Wonderland, you arrive at the vibrant Colorful Ocean section. The ocean is home to all sorts of marine creatures. On one side, you'll find huge lemon sharks; across from them are tanks housing clownfish and coral. The cute Nemo hides among the corals, and the mischievous clownfish are always hard to spot. There are also many colorful fish that make up the most vivid part of the underwater world.
Then comes the Bizarre Encyclopedia, the exploration area dedicated to navigation. From ancient times to the present, the ocean has always held countless secrets waiting to be explored. Since the Age of Discovery, countless brave souls have ventured to explore and conquer the sea. Actually, China had its own Age of Discovery. During the Ming Dynasty, Zheng He made seven epic voyages to the Western Seas, opening maritime routes from China to Southeast Asia, South Asia, and even Africa. In the Bizarre Encyclopedia, you can see records of this history and learn about China's maritime heritage, ending with the Jiaolong submersible that explored Antarctica—truly fascinating.
Here, there is a romantic cherry blossom walkway and a magnificent 360-degree underwater tunnel. The tunnel is made of glass, so as you walk through, seawater surrounds you above and beside you, giving you the feeling of strolling on the sea floor. Occasionally, fish swim by.
Beluga whales are highly intelligent marine creatures. Adult belugas have the intelligence of a 6 or 7-year-old human child, allowing them to learn many simple commands. What's more, belugas are very friendly toward humans; even in the wild ocean, they are quite willing to approach people. At the Beluga Encounter, you can see these ocean elves. Sitting by the tank, cute belugas glide behind you, and occasionally, a beluga will pause right behind a visitor, like an adorable child, wide-eyed, curiously gazing at the tourists.
In the Beluga Encounter zone, there is also a Beluga Concert Hall. Here, beluga shows are held daily. The belugas and their keepers interact seamlessly underwater, performing various moves and poses. With piano music playing, the belugas and humans seem to become one, creating a fun and romantic experience.
The Polar Tribe, as the name suggests, is where residents are little elves from the polar regions. The Arctic fox is glamorous and cute, while the Arctic wolf is majestic and proud. These polar creatures have made their homes here.
What I love even more are the adorable penguins. The clumsy, silly little penguins always inexplicably hit that cute button. Here, you can observe the penguins' daily life. If a keeper happens to pass by, you might even see a line of waddling penguins following closely behind, waiting to be fed—a truly adorable sight.
The most magnificent sight here is undoubtedly the Deep Sea Wonder. The acrylic tank, over 40 meters long, has even been certified by Guinness World Records. Here, you can see various marine fish growing and living together. Rays, sharks, and other large marine fish, along with many smaller species, all inhabit this space. Standing before this vast acrylic window, gazing at the 'ocean' inside, is an immensely enjoyable experience.
When I visited, I happened to catch the showtime. The performance is divided into two parts. The first is the feeding of the golden trevally. As the diver appeared, they were immediately surrounded by swarms of golden trevally, their brilliant golden color forming a spectacular golden storm around the diver.
Next is the mermaid show, where a performer dressed as a mermaid dances gracefully through the water. With elegant movements, she looks just like a real mermaid, romantic and dreamlike.
At Grandview Polar Ocean World, there are also exciting science education shows. Educators teach children about the mysteries of the ocean. At the end of your visit, catching a lively science talk to learn more about these marine elves and the wonders and beauty of the sea is a wonderful experience. And at Grandview, besides the Polar Ocean World, there are other very interesting museums worth exploring!
Grandview Natural Science Museum
The Natural Science Museum on the sixth floor of Grandview Mall primarily showcases the changes from the birth of the Earth to the future, telling the story of the Earth's evolution. It is also divided into several exhibition areas. The first area displays the changes of the Earth, followed by exhibits on various geological and topographical transformations. Best of all, all exhibits are interactive—allowing you to operate them yourself and experience things firsthand, which is truly fascinating.
Next are exhibits of creatures from different periods of Earth's history, starting from the Jurassic era. Here, various scenes from the Jurassic period are recreated. What you must not miss is the Medusaceratops fossil—one of only three existing specimens in the world and the most completely preserved one. As the museum's treasure, it is truly priceless.
After that, there are exhibitions of the Ice Age, where you can see scenes of saber-toothed tigers, mammoths, and early human life. Traveling back in time to the Ice Age is truly captivating.
Finally, there is the space gallery. Humanity has always yearned for space, and the mysterious starry sky has always drawn people to explore it. Here, you can feel the beauty of space and its vast mysteries. As the last stop of the Natural Science Museum, ending with space gives a wonderfully complete feeling. I originally thought science museums were always boring, but here, the various setups and experiences are full of fun and small interactive activities, allowing you to participate in the exploration of natural science. It's very lively.
Beyond Grandview Polar Ocean World and the Natural Science Museum, there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy summer at Grandview. You can go shopping, sample various cuisines, or watch a movie—all great choices for the hot summer. No need to endure the scorching sun: see the sea right in the city center and chill in the cool air conditioning, making your summer rich and fun.
Address: Grandview Mall, No. 228 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou.
Transportation: Metro Line 1, Sports Center Station, Exit D3; or Metro Line 3, Shipaiqiao Station, Exit A. Stop saying there's nothing fun to do in Guangzhou! Grandview Mall in the city center is a place full of fun, and there's even more to discover waiting for you.
