Dreams Come True: Unlock the Magic City’s World-Class Instagram-Famous New Landmark
When we were young, we dreamed of traveling far away, pursuing our freedom and dreams. We imagined having wings to soar in the sky, and dreamed of freely roaming the ocean, feeling the vast, boundless blue sea, diving to the bottom and keeping company with all the marine creatures we loved. Now, those childhood dreams have truly come true. I never thought I could get so close to all kinds of sea creatures, and never imagined I could one day sleep and play alongside them.
This colorful dream came true for me today at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park.
Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park is a marine culture-themed scenic area, divided into five major themed zones: Mermaid Bay, Polar Town, Ice and Snow Kingdom, Underwater Wonderland, and Ocean Tribe. It features 16 star attractions including the Orca Science Show, Dolphin Love Song, Walrus Comedy Show, Beluga Love, Marine Animal Feeding Show, Mermaid Fairy Tale, Underwater Dance, Town Party, Flyboard Show, National Style Gala, Flying Dragon Maiden, Seven Cuties Adventure, Viking Legend, Ocean Fantasy Parade, Dreamlike Sea Realm, and Ocean EDM Party.
Within the park, there are six major animal exhibit halls: Antarctic Penguin Pavilion, Marine Mammal Discovery Hall, Iceberg Arctic Pavilion, Underwater World Pavilion, Volcano Shark Pavilion, and Coral & Jellyfish Pavilion, housing over 30,000 rare marine animals including polar bears and emperor penguins. There are also six major rides and facilities: Volcano Rafting, Dolphin Roller Coaster, Time-Space Cable Car, Deep Sea Voyage, Sky Dome Cinema, and Super Sensory 4D Cinema. Additionally, the park features the Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park Resort Hotel, offering a one-stop experience of dining, entertainment, and accommodation. Stepping into this world, you can truly immerse yourself in a spectacular ocean dream journey!
Upon entering the park, our first stop was the Marine Mammal Discovery Hall in Polar Town. Here, there are no shows, but the display of marine mammal species and numbers ranks first in the country. You can observe nearly a hundred marine mammals of six species: gluttonous sea lions, gentle manatees, playful otters, and languid spotted seals.
The first floor of the Marine Mammal Discovery Hall is a natural open-air bay, mainly housing sea lions and seals. Here you can see them basking lazily in the sun, excitedly snatching food, and enjoying the afternoon in carefree bliss, sometimes looking as delightfully silly as the seals in internet memes.
Sea lions get their name because their face resembles a lion's and their roar is very similar, earning them the title 'lions of the sea.' Their four limbs are like flippers, perfect for swimming. 'Seal' is a general term for animals in the family Phocidae of the suborder Pinnipedia. Spotted seals have a stout, spindle-shaped body covered with short fur; their back is blue-grey, belly creamy yellow with blue-black spots. Their head is round with large, round eyes, no external ear flaps, a short broad snout, and long, stiff beaded whiskers on the upper lip.
Go down to the basement level, and you'll find otters and manatees living in glass tanks, allowing you to observe the marine mammals swimming from all angles. You can fully appreciate the simple yet true beauty of nature. Additionally, you can pay to feed the marine mammals for 60 yuan per session. If you want to watch them gobble food up close, you can purchase this experience.
Next, we visited the second exhibit hall, the Iceberg Arctic Pavilion, home to dozens of Arctic 'residents': sea lions, belugas, polar bears, Arctic wolves, Arctic foxes, bearded seals, and spotted seals.
Among them, two polar bears were bred artificially under natural conditions: Pizu, who loves swimming, and Yatou, who is quiet and gentle. The adorable polar bear Pizu even starred in the movie Midnight Sun, where he was the 'face' of the film! But beneath their cute and cuddly appearance, polar bears are extremely powerful—it's just a disguise. To survive the extreme cold, their paws are like they've mastered the '18 Dragon Subduing Palms,' incredibly strong, and breaking through thick ice is a piece of cake.
There are also the petite and adorable Arctic princesses, the Arctic foxes, and the ocean singers, the belugas, who can capture your heart at first sight. The Iceberg in the Ice and Snow Kingdom hides an Arctic palace where native Arctic inhabitants like belugas, polar bears, Arctic foxes, and Arctic wolves live.
If there is one most romantic show in the park, it would be Beluga Love. If you've seen the movie Beluga Love, you'll understand the beauty, romance, struggle, and dreams behind this performance. Belugas are the 'fair ladies' of the whale family, round-headed ocean singers, embodying intelligence, kindness, and loyalty.
Through the huge glass, we watched the keepers and animals perform a beautiful love song. Listening to the melodious voices of the 'canaries of the sea,' the gentle belugas transformed the cold Ice and Snow Kingdom into a paradise of love confessions.
Belugas are well-known marine creatures. Their classic snow-white skin, as they swim back and forth in the sea, creates a stunning visual feast, offering a delightful audiovisual experience.
The funniest show in the park is the Walrus Comedy Show (Walrus Hijinks). The perfect coordination between walruses and keepers presents a lively and entertaining performance.
Under the keepers' commands, walruses can independently perform difficult tricks like hoop jumping, handstands, ball balancing, and diving, and occasionally they playfully tease the keepers, making everyone laugh heartily.
If you want a close encounter with a walrus, sit in the front rows to have a chance to be a lucky audience member who can interact with them! You can even compete in sit-ups with a walrus, touch its body up close—really fun! After the interaction, you'll receive a small gift.
In Polar Town, the Antarctic Penguin Pavilion features the world’s first 360-degree 'Penguin Super Bowl' that showcases the living habits of Antarctic penguins. Through acrylic glass, we could see the penguins swimming freely in the 'Super Bowl' and watch them adorably tumble from land into the water!
The pavilion has two interconnected floors. The upper floor has a large cylindrical tank where you can look up and see penguins agilely swimming around.
On the lower floor, most penguins stand still. This area is home to emperor penguins—the largest penguin species, with adults reaching 100–130 cm tall and weighing 20–45 kg. There are also Adélie penguins, which are 46–75 cm long and weigh 4–6 kg, and are highly skilled swimmers! They find each other through calls and build nests with pebbles. Gentoo penguins, known for their comical and gentlemanly appearance, are very cute and commonly called 'gentlemen penguins,' reaching 75–90 cm in length and 5.5–6 kg in weight.
The Orca Theater is a must-visit if you bring kids, as it's the only place in a Chinese theme park where you can see orcas. You'll be awed by the spectacular Orca Science Show. Before the show, the big screen displays some scientific facts, perfect for a family quiz to bond together.
It’s said that orcas have the intelligence of a 6- to 10-year-old child, truly the 'top students' of the ocean. The moment they leaped out of the water, I was deeply moved. I couldn’t believe I was seeing such rare animals so close with my own eyes.
Under the guidance of their keepers, they sometimes leap out of the water, sometimes gesture with movements. When a keeper holds up a long pole more than two meters above the water, the orcas will spring from the water and jump over it. At times they produce beautiful, ethereal sounds that resonate throughout the theater.
If you want a close encounter with the orcas, sit in the front rows on either side for a chance to go on stage and 'kiss' an orca calf through the glass. You might also experience a mischievous orca splashing huge waves with its tail, soaking the first six rows with a special orca 'greeting'! The audience cheered. (It's highly recommended to wear a rain poncho, or you'll end up drenched. Ponchos: 10 yuan each.)
The Time-Space Cable Car is definitely a favorite attraction for couples. Its shape resembles a time machine, and it's the only cable car in the country that offers unobstructed views over both water and land. It's also the best spot for panoramic views of the park and for overlooking the parade from above.
One end of the cable car is at the Iceberg Arctic Pavilion in the southern section, and the other at the Volcano Shark Pavilion in the northern section, dividing Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park into south and north parts. Traveling 600 meters in the air between ice and fire, the fully enclosed Time-Space Cable Car provides a very broad view from above. You can enjoy the entire park scenery at a glance—truly worth experiencing.
The brilliant large-scale interactive show Dolphin Love Song is dreamily performed at the Dolphin Theater, with the very smart and clever dolphins as the stars. The Dolphin Theater can hold up to 3,000 spectators at once, and features the most tech-savvy interactive dolphin show in the country, integrating sound, light, electricity, water screens, and other high-tech elements to deliver an immersive sensory feast starring the dolphins.
Here, you can witness the beautiful sight of the ocean's most intelligent creatures interacting closely with humans. On cue from the keepers, the dolphins show their close bond with the trainers. With lightning-fast reflexes and athletic prowess, they leap out of the pool, tap a ball with their slender snouts, and then splash back into the water—graceful and dynamic.
They can easily spin hula hoops and belt out dolphin sounds effortlessly. Watching their perfect teamwork with the keepers, you can't help but applaud and cheer for these adorable creatures.
Throughout the performance, there are many interactive segments. If you want a close encounter with a dolphin, sit in the front row for a chance to get a dolphin kiss—an unforgettable experience.
Following the signs, we arrived at the Shark Pavilion located inside the 'volcano,' which gives a thrilling impression from the outside. The most special exhibit is the world's first 7-degree tilted tank, very eye-catching. Standing in front of the giant glass tank, you feel like you're at the bottom of the sea. This unique design creates a strong immersive feeling, as if we were in the deep blue ocean. Occasionally, a huge whale shark swims by, providing a visually stunning effect that speaks for itself.
When showtime arrives, mermaids with fish tails appear in the deep sea, swimming among various marine creatures. Watching in the dimly lit pavilion was breathtaking. The mermaid performers, without oxygen tanks, danced gracefully in the water, moving freely just like real mermaids living in the sea.
They sometimes perform difficult dance moves, their slender, graceful figures swirling in the deep sea, weaving through schools of fish, spinning and leaping, and occasionally blowing a stream of bubbles toward the audience. It was stunning, as if you were in a fairy-tale underwater world—truly amazing!
If you think an ocean park is just about watching marine animals, you're mistaken! Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, with over a dozen rides, will definitely make you scream all summer long! The Dolphin Roller Coaster, a masterpiece from the internationally top-notch coaster manufacturer Intamin, is an unmissable outdoor attraction. The moment it starts, no amount of shouting or yelling can stop the transformation of time and space.
During the ride, you'll transform into a dolphin, soaring skyward and diving to the ocean depths, charging through the belly of a great white shark. The 75-second ride seems infinitely stretched due to the expansion of time and space. Breaking through the sound barrier, with accelerations, inversions, and climbs, your screams will be scattered under the sky!
Besides flying high, you can also try the Volcano Rafting. This attraction, crafted by the world-leading water ride manufacturer White Water of Canada, takes you plunging through volcanic rapids for an extraordinary ride experience. Combining multiple water amusements with various water slides and a 'magic bowl,' it delivers simultaneous thrills and joy, offering a journey full of excitement.
A 1-kilometer rapid adventure, 10 minutes to escape the lava volcano, with a drop of 21 meters. You'll see surging waves and cascading lava, making you feel the thrill of high-speed whirling! With spins, jumps, and that 'magic circle of love' along the way, it's not only exciting but also tests your balance! Let us forget all worries amid the screams and plunge into the cool water world to beat the summer heat, and let's party. Tips: Riding restrictions: Very thin children or overweight adults must be assessed by staff before boarding; guests with hypertension, spinal conditions, seniors, pregnant women, intoxicated individuals, and those who have recently undergone surgery of any size are restricted. Height restriction: 1.3 meters to 1.96 meters.
As I walked into the dimly lit corridor, I encountered colorful large coral towers and thousands of softly glowing jellyfish, which was truly astonishing. Corals and jellyfish are the most dreamlike creatures in the ocean world. Although the lighting was low, we could see the corals creating a magnificent visual symphony. This is one of the top standalone coral and jellyfish themed pavilions in the country, with a wide variety of coral species such as feather mushroom coral, mushroom sunflower coral, and more. The colorful and magnificent scene makes you want to press the shutter and capture these captivating moments.
Further inside, we came to the jellyfish theater, where the colors of the lights changed like a rainbow, reflecting off the glass to create a beautiful jellyfish spectacle. Jellyfish are naturally transparent, but under the colorful lights, they constantly change colors as they sway freely in the water, becoming the most dreamlike ocean sprites.
This dreamy scene is perfect for photography. The colorful lights reflect on the jellyfish tanks, and with continuous shutter clicks, you can get stunning photos just by standing in front of the tanks. Inside the exhibits, a free and heartwarming picture is created. The Coral & Jellyfish Pavilion ensures no moment spent here is wasted, a dreamy keepsake for your family.
Cool Splash Party
After admiring the magnificent Coral & Jellyfish Pavilion, we headed outdoors to enjoy a lively Cool Splash Party. In the scorching summer heat, nothing beats cool water to beat the heat. This is definitely a favorite play area for kids. Apart from watching various childlike dance performances, you can also take part in interactive games to win small prizes.
Kids are most excited about touching the strange bubbles emitting a wonderful fragrance, and then having a cooling water gun fight. Finally, join the party with the music. When you decide to step into this party, be prepared to get wet. If you don’t want to get soaked, remember to wear a raincoat beforehand. This thrilling and refreshing summer water fiesta will definitely make you scream.
In addition to enjoying the marine life and various shows inside the park, there is also an outdoor children’s play area perfect for families. It features all kinds of child-friendly amusements, such as Ocean Carousel, Happy Flying Fish, and Pelican Adventure, all suitable for kids.
As you sit on the spinning Ocean Carousel and the soaring Happy Flying Fish, you can imagine walking adorably alongside baby penguins or swimming freely in the ocean with dolphins and belugas. This place is like another ocean world, filled with laughter and joy, sharing your own ocean dream journey with family.
It must be said that the must-see Instagram spot at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park is the Underwater World Pavilion, which features a unique double-channel underwater tunnel. Entering the Deep Sea Voyage, through the underwater tunnel you can see colorful eagle rays, pearl gentian groupers, and other schooling fish, along with vibrant coral reef fish swimming freely.
This is a futuristic world full of childlike wonder and dreamy colors. Be sure to take portrait photos here, as you'll definitely capture a unique underwater dream scene, and from a different perspective bask in the tranquility and magnificence of the underwater world.
If there's an unmissable high-difficulty freediving underwater performance, it's surely Underwater Dance, which suddenly appears at the bottom of the sea. Two graceful underwater flower fairies, light and delicate, dance in the water like spirits, interpreting legendary stories through the azure sea.
With the music, a large school of fish circles their dancing bodies. The moment they emerge from the fish swarm, they are like blooming underwater buds, beautiful and moving. They dance like butterflies and sway like graceful willow branches, so mesmerizing that it intoxicates you. Merging with the sea and dancing with the fish, they exude an ethereal aura—a realm where dreams and reality blend. Here, they spin freely and converse with the vast ocean.
If you get tired and hungry while playing in the park, don’t worry about finding a place to eat and rest. The park has five themed restaurants: Penguin Restaurant, Whale Shark Restaurant, Time Restaurant, Sand Tower Restaurant, and Aurora Restaurant, along with coffee shops, water bars, and dessert shops to meet diverse dining needs. This time, we chose to eat at the Penguin Restaurant. As soon as you walk in, you feel a strong penguin theme. They offer various set meals at reasonable prices with good taste.
Another recommended restaurant is the Whale Shark Restaurant. Its ambiance makes you feel like you're in the ocean. While savoring delicious dishes, you can admire thousands of fascinating marine creatures swimming before your eyes, providing an exciting visual feast to accompany the taste sensations. Dining at the Whale Shark Restaurant is a dual delight for the eyes and palate. With Western-style meals averaging around 300 yuan per person, it's perfect for dressing up and taking photos in a great setting.
If you want to buy cultural and creative merchandise or souvenirs, the park's nine specialty themed shops will surely meet your needs. Each shop in different zones and pavilions has its own unique design style, filled with a dazzling array of themed goods. Walking into these stores feels like stepping into a exquisite treasure trove; the cultural and creative products are truly irresistible.
Especially Ocean World, Mermaid's Treasure, Penguin Shop, and others are well worth exploring. It’s definitely a favorite spot for kids. Looking at the cute, cuddly dolls neatly arranged, even a grown-up’s 'inner girl' can’t help but be awakened.
Riding the wave of cultural creativity, themed merchandise has become an important vector for tourism promotion, as each item embodies the park’s culture and stories. It’s as if all the spectacular shows we’ve watched are frozen into collected moments, leaving a lasting impression.
In the stories of childhood, our dreams and surging emotions were written, the spirit of vast, boundless waters. In the books of youth, the vast blue sea was painted for you and me, giving us all a kind of expectation—the expectation that childhood dreams would one day come true, to see dolphins leap from the water, to see dreamy mermaids perform deep-sea shows, to see orcas churning giant waves with mountainous roars.
Perhaps, what moves us in every city and every journey is not the bustling, glamorous side, but the resonance you find when you inadvertently draw near. Only after witnessing storms and rainbows do you come to know your own way of traveling.
Perhaps, different cities, different places; different cuisines, different lives. Along the way, beautiful scenery will not be missed, and some dreams will not be forgotten. Life is like a journey against the current; time never fails all those with heart.
I. Opening Hours:
Peak days: 9:00-20:30; Regular days: 9:30-20:00. (Also, the evening session is now open; entry after 15:00.)
II. Ticket Prices:
(1) Standard adult ticket: Regular day ¥299, Peak day ¥360. Note: adults or children over 1.4 meters (not inclusive).
(2) Concession ticket: Regular day ¥180, Peak day ¥240. Note: 1. Children between 1.0m (exclusive) and 1.4m (inclusive); 2. Seniors aged 65 and above with valid ID; 3. Active military personnel, working/retired/disabled persons with valid ID; 4. Firefighters, fire academy students, and disabled persons.
III. Show Times (subject to the day's performance schedule):
IV. Recommended Park Route (counterclockwise): Entrance – Polar Town – Ice and Snow Kingdom – take cable car – Underwater Wonder – Ocean Tribe – Mermaid Bay – Exit; Marine Mammal Discovery Hall – Iceberg Arctic Pavilion – Beluga Love – Walrus Theater – Antarctic Penguin Pavilion – Orca Theater – Time-Space Cable Car – Dolphin Theater – Volcano Shark Pavilion – Mermaid Fairy Tale – Dolphin Roller Coaster – Coral & Jellyfish Pavilion – Cool Splash Party – Underwater World Pavilion – Underwater Dance.
V. Transportation Tips:
(1) Public transportation:
(2) Nearby self-driving routes:
(3) By air: Since the park is in Pudong, you can take flights arriving at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
VI. Friendly Reminders:
1. If you’ve purchased tickets in advance, just scan your ID card at the entrance; no need to exchange for paper tickets—very fast and convenient. However, note that some online tickets require a 2-hour window after booking before they can be used, so make sure to buy in advance.
2. The Haichang Ocean Park has a parking lot at 50 yuan per entry. The lot is large; generally, there are spots if you arrive early. If full, you’ll need to park at a more distant lot.
3. The park discourages bringing your own food; bags will be checked for security. Alcoholic beverages and knives are prohibited.
4. There are affordable dining options inside the park, so it’s not advisable to bring too much food, which adds to your load.
5. Regarding luggage storage: There are storage points outside the park, but they charge a fee. Small bags (under 20 inches) 40 yuan/day, large bags 60 yuan/day. Items must be retrieved the same day; an overnight storage fee of 20 yuan applies.
6. Do not use flash when taking photos inside exhibit halls, as it can negatively affect the animals and cause severe reflections from the many glass surfaces, resulting in poor photos.
