Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, a science education base, and a patriotic education base.

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is located in the bustling Lujiazui Financial District of Pudong, Shanghai, right next to the Oriental Pearl Tower. It is the largest and most captivating tourist attraction in Shanghai themed around showcasing aquatic life and ecosystems. It is also one of the world’s largest artificial seawater aquariums.

The shareholders of Shanghai Ocean Aquarium include Singapore’s Sun Hung Kai Properties Group and China Poly Group. The total investment was 50 million US dollars. Since opening to the public in February 2002, the aquarium has welcomed an average of over one million visitors from around the world each year. It has been awarded the titles of “National Science Education Base” and “Shanghai Science Education Base.” In 2003, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium defeated other international competitors and won the bid for China to host the 2008 “7th International Aquarium Congress” for the first time.

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium features a unique exterior design, with its main and auxiliary buildings shaped like large and small pyramids. The building covers a total area of 20,500 square meters, including 12,000 square meters of exhibition space, 500 square meters of specialty gift shops, and a 300-seat aquarium-themed restaurant.

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is currently the only aquarium in the world that includes a dedicated China exhibition area, thematically showcasing aquatic life and ecosystems of the Yangtze River basin. Starting with the “Yangtze River,” visitors journey through the Amazon jungle, arrive at the “electric eel” pool in the South American zone, gaze across the water at Australia’s “sawfish and archerfish,” wander through the colorful Southeast Asia zone, experience the cold of Antarctica alongside its penguins, and marvel at the star attraction—the weedy seadragon—while being amazed by the graceful movements of “jellyfish.” They then traverse the world’s longest underwater tunnel at 155 meters, which features four distinct marine environments, including the thrilling “Shark Bay.” Amidst a wondrous, diverse, stunning, and lively underwater world surrounded by more than 10,000 fish from over 450 species, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium takes every visitor on a once-in-a-lifetime “ocean journey” across five continents and four oceans.

The development and operation of Shanghai Ocean Aquarium aim to guide the public from merely observing aquatic life to caring for it, and from understanding the survival challenges of marine creatures to paying attention to our human living environment and protecting our shared home. To fulfill this sacred mission, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is striving its utmost to ensure that every visitor gains knowledge and inspiration during their visit.

Address: No. 1388 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

Type: Aquarium

Recommended visiting time: 1–3 hours

Phone: 021-58779988

Official Website: http://www.sh-soa.com/zh/html/index.aspx

Transportation

Take buses such as 81, 774, 779, 939, 993, the Cai-Lu Special Line, Lujiazui Financial City Route 1, or the Lujiazui Tourism Loop, and get off at the Lujiazui Ring Road Fenghe Road Station.

Tickets

Adult ticket: 160 RMB (for individuals aged 1.4 meters and above who can visit independently, including adults and teenagers). Child ticket: 110 RMB (for children between 1.0–1.4 meters tall; children are not allowed to enter alone and must be accompanied by an adult).

Opening Hours

Regular business hours: 9:00–18:00; ticket sales and entry end at 17:30.

During the summer vacation in July and August, the National Day Golden Week, and the Spring Festival holiday, hours are adjusted to 9:00–21:00; ticket sales and entry end at 20:30.

For special event days, please refer to the official website and on-site announcements for business hours.