Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park Is Worth a Visit
Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park (Halloween Eve, afternoon session 99 yuan)
Visit time: mid-October, Halloween Eve
Travel method: self-driving
Tickets: Halloween special, weekend afternoon adult ticket 99 yuan
How to buy: Follow the Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park WeChat official account; they’ll push Halloween ticket deals. Buy tickets through the official account.
The cheapest time of the year – Luoluo’s birthday falls right around Halloween, so I thought I’d plan an early outing. Disney was expensive and my little one is too young for many rides; it would have worn out both adults and child without much fun, a bit of a thankless effort. I’d been following the Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park WeChat account, so I casually tapped in to check ticket prices. Kids under 3 get in free (she was just a few days shy), and adult afternoon tickets were 99 yuan. So cheap! I booked immediately. My kid has been into picture books about sea creatures lately, so taking her to see real ocean animals would be a thrill. Notice the standard weekday price? Many people I asked before said: “Not worth it, don’t bother.” Seizing this chance to see for myself whether it’s truly worth it.
Official site prices – what really drew me in were all the shows posted on their website: Walrus Comedy Show – Killer Whale Theater – White Whale Love – Mermaid Fairytale – Dolphin Love Song (can’t see the afternoon session, only two shows a day).
The first three images are from the official site, and I managed to capture equally beautiful shots on site. Take your time enjoying below. In short: the official pictures don’t lie.
From decision to plan, it took just two hours. Since it was an afternoon session, entry from 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM, about five hours total. I didn’t check other guides; I followed their suggested routes, checked what each attraction had, and noted show times. My goal was simply to see the shows. The official site had two recommended routes (removed here).
Official recommended route map. Because I bought the afternoon ticket, based on show times I chose the “Whale Adventure Route.” You can see every showtime and content via the official account – go to “Park Guide” – select “Performances” to see the next showtime. (You can open the account anytime on site to check the day’s schedule, since times may change due to crowds or weather.)
I’ll note down each venue with its shows and a watchability rating as I follow the route. Let’s start our counterclockwise tour of Haichang Ocean Park.
Starting from the first attraction on the right after entry.
Sea Beast Discovery Pavilion: After ticket check, turn right. Simply watch walruses. Two floors: upper floor to see walruses sunbathing; lower underground level to watch them swim. Great for photos.
Entry time: 15:30
Visit duration: 20 minutes
Photo rating: ★★★★★
Front view of Sea Beast Discovery Pavilion (downloaded online)
Underground level of Sea Beast Discovery Pavilion (five-star photo spot)
Watching walruses swim
Walrus Theater: Exit Sea Beast Discovery Pavilion, turn right, and hurry to the adjacent Walrus Theater for the show. Good for little kids, somewhat entertaining.
Showtime: 16:00
Duration: 20 minutes
Watch rating: ★★★
Photo rating: ★★ (theater style, lights off during show)
Only worth 20 minutes. The Killer Whale show starts at 16:30, so you need to get there early; once it begins, no re-entry. Best to sit near the aisle to avoid disturbing others mid-show when leaving.
Walrus Theater COVID-19 tips
Take a few shots before the show starts
Walrus greets the audience (on-site photo matches the official one)
Killer Whale Theater: Exit Walrus Theater, turn right, go up to the 2nd floor for the 16:30 killer whale show. The story follows a child’s dream, telling everyone to love and protect the ocean and animals. The highlight is the killer whales’ gift to the audience: tail-splashing. Those in the first six rows must wear ponchos or they’ll get soaked.
Showtime: 16:30
Duration: 20 minutes
Watch rating: ★★★★
Photo rating: ★★★★
Show about to begin
Killer whale greeting the crowd
Too many people, dad carrying Luoluo to watch
Iceberg Arctic Pavilion: The main event here is the White Whale Love show. Exit the Killer Whale Theater, turn left, walk over 200 meters. Near Christmas Town, there’s an uphill entrance (a bit tricky to find; ask staff on site). Inside you’ll see Arctic animals swimming. Follow the signs for the show.
Showtime: 17:45
Audience size: very large
Watch rating: ★★★★
Photo rating: ★★★★ (after the show when the crowd leaves)
Because these images have no filters at all, just a bit of text added, they are breathtakingly beautiful. After the show, don’t rush off; take your time for photos.
Entrance to Iceberg Arctic Pavilion
White Whale Love (whale tails captured after the show)
White Whale Love (they look so adorable, as if smiling)
White Whale Love main page
White whale spinning a staff member around
Exit Iceberg Arctic Pavilion, turn right, reach Antarctic Bridge. From the bridge you can see people river rafting. Late October in Shanghai is a bit chilly, not suitable for family activities with a little one like ours. Continue on to the Underwater World Pavilion.
Underwater World Pavilion: Originally there was a show at 18:00, but it was cancelled due to large crowds. Still, strolling through the aquarium is nice; kids love observing sea creatures: manta rays, clownfish, sea turtles, all sorts of quirky fish—those are just the ones I know. There are pretend ship controls and steering wheels that kids adore, imagining themselves as little captains.
Crowd level: somewhat busy
Photo rating: ★★★ (people constantly passing by, snap when it’s briefly empty)
(walrus swimming)
Volcano Shark Pavilion: While you’re barely done looking at the Underwater World, staff will announce that the next show is at the Volcano Shark Pavilion. Exit and it’s right opposite. Learn about various sharks here, and the important show: Mermaid Fairytale, featuring Russian performers as mermaids. Watching is like a giant screen; mermaids dance with fish, sometimes greeting the audience. The show is punctuated by a chorus of “wows.” After it ends, take beautiful photos. Up close, there’s even a piano inside. On the way out, you’ll see many shark species—explore at leisure.
Showtime: 18:30
Duration: 20 minutes
Watch rating: ★★★★
Photo rating: ★★★★★ (another top recommendation, all my own on-site shots, no filter, just added text. Wait until the crowd leaves before clicking away)
Volcano Shark Pavilion (my favorite photo)
Dolphin Theater: They only seem to have two shows, at 12:00 and 14:00, so we missed it. No worries—a regret that gives us a reason to revisit. By now it was 7 PM, already dark outside. Since it was Halloween, there was a night parade. We ran into it after leaving the shark pavilion. With a kid, they might not understand and might even find the monsters scary, so we didn’t linger. Not sure if it was because I had a camera around my neck and they thought I was professional, but several performers came right up to give me a fright—I screamed loudly, startling a parent behind me holding a child. Ha, sorry! Those who aren’t scared can thoroughly enjoy these ghouls and goblins. Yep, it was this guy below.
Halloween parade
After the parade, no more shows—just a few exhibit halls. Coral & Jellyfish Pavilion: It holds common jellyfish of all sizes. You can buy a small bottle of them for around 10 yuan to raise at home. Jellyfish are naturally translucent white; the colors you see in aquariums are from lighting.
Watch rating: ★★★★
Photo rating: ★★★★ (many photogenic spots, but crowded, so wait for the right moment)
From the jellyfish hall, cross Arctic Bridge and head toward the exit.
Antarctic Penguin Pavilion: From Arctic Bridge, on your left. This building has two entrances: one for the penguin exhibit, one for the Sky Screen Cinema. The penguins here are cuter than those at Lujiazui Aquarium or the wildlife park—plump, lively, maybe because the space is large; they swim back and forth, absolutely adorable.
Watch rating: ★★★
Visit duration: flexible
Photo rating: ★★★★
Look up inside the penguin hall (similar to official photos)
Little penguin waddling
We skipped the Sky Screen Cinema because it was too late and the kid was tired. I’d read that it’s really worth seeing—unfortunately, we missed it this time; next visit then. Around 7:30 PM, we left the penguin pavilion and walked along the river to the “Ocean Electronic Music Party.”
Watch rating: ★★★
Given the Halloween theme, ghouls and ghosts were woven through the crowd. The stage performance was out of sight; all you heard was DJ-like booming from a bar, people jumping and going wild. Not for elders or kids, but great for a big group of young folks.
Christmas Market Square
We drove home just before 8 PM. Our kid fell asleep the moment she got in the car. Half a day was enough to wear us out, so a half-day outing with a child is doable. We missed two shows but were happy with the rest. Regrets left for a return trip. At 99 yuan a ticket, seeing so many wonderful shows was worth it. There are still a few days before Halloween—grab those tickets! In summary, Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park is indeed worth a visit. The afternoon shows run counterclockwise starting from 4 PM to 6:30 PM; the park arranges showtimes logically without conflicts. A great experience.
Since we’re based in Shanghai and had lunch before heading out, we didn’t try food inside the park or buy any toys—zero expenses beyond tickets.
Tips: If self-driving, arrive early, or you might end up at an overflow lot that’s a bit far. Medical staff with valid IDs get free entry all of 2020.
