The Penguins Are Here: Beijing Aquarium Launches the Extraordinary Tribe Carnival Season

Extraordinary Tribe Carnival Season: A New Trend in Summer Travel

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Hu Weiyong, General Manager of the Beijing Aquarium, explained the meaning of the “Extraordinary Tribe.” He introduced that the new friends welcomed by the Beijing Aquarium—the African black-footed penguins—are a group of warm-weather penguins living on the southwestern coast of Africa. The Beijing Aquarium spent a year carefully preparing the “Extraordinary Tribe” to welcome these African warm-weather penguins into the aquarium’s big family. As one of the earliest aquariums in China, the Beijing Aquarium has always been committed to providing a rich, educational, and cultural leisure space for family outings. This summer, the Beijing Aquarium will also use this event to offer an extraordinary visiting experience to all guests.

The African black-footed penguin, also known as the African penguin, is the latest species introduced by the Beijing Aquarium. Unlike the penguins we usually associate with Antarctica, the African black-footed penguin stands 68–70 cm tall and is an endangered species living on the southwestern coast of Africa, with fewer than 100,000 left worldwide. By introducing this species, the Beijing Aquarium aims not only to showcase a richer variety of marine life but also to raise awareness about endangered marine creatures.

As an aquarium that receives over 2 million visitors annually, the Beijing Aquarium has always upheld the mission of “entertaining the public, educating students, and preserving the ecosystem.” It strives to draw attention to marine life through a rich display of species, deepen people’s understanding and knowledge of the ocean through diverse educational activities, and hopes to actively rescue marine life through years of experience and technological development, promoting the culture of maritime heritage and marine environmental protection. The launch of the summer special event, the “Extraordinary Tribe Carnival Season,” will enhance the educational experience and further promote environmental and social good causes.

Innovative African-Themed Play Experience

The Beijing Aquarium has always adhered to the business philosophy of family bonding, joy, knowledge, and wisdom. Throughout the summer, the aquarium, in line with the African characteristics of the African black-footed penguins, has launched special events themed around the “Extraordinary Tribe Carnival Season.” Every weekend during the carnival season, visitors can enjoy authentic African song and dance performances at the aquarium, instantly transporting them to the distant and mysterious African coast. Children can also learn to play and perform alongside African instructors, transforming into “African natives” and dancing joyfully with the African penguins. With the rich atmosphere of African culture and the adorable charm of the African penguins, the Beijing Aquarium will offer an unprecedented carnival experience this summer.

“Chief Challenge” Deepens Science Education

The “Chief Challenge” competition held in the afternoon of the opening ceremony is a new attempt at “new science education” by the Beijing Aquarium. The “Chief Challenge” is a unique science education activity newly created by the aquarium, featuring monthly and annual competitions. Each month, three “Little Chiefs” are selected through marine knowledge quizzes and marine protection declarations, and at the end of the year, one “Extraordinary Chief” will be chosen from the 36 “Little Chiefs.” The selected “Little Chiefs” will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the aquarium, spend the night there, act as science education lecturers, and spread marine knowledge. The Beijing Aquarium has been working hard to expand the audience for science education, ensuring that both teachers, students, and families benefit from their visit. In the future, the “Chief Challenge” competition will also recruit and select participants from various social groups, striving to extend the influence of the ocean to more diverse social levels.

Supporting Marine Dreams and Deepening Social Good

At the opening ceremony, the Beijing Aquarium also brought left-behind students from impoverished mountainous areas in Guyuan County to the venue, fulfilling their dream of seeing the ocean. At the same time, the aquarium quietly brought the parents of these children, who work in Beijing, to the aquarium, inviting them to spend a night at the venue with their children and enjoy a quiet, quality parent-child time. They say, “An ocean-like heart can heal everything.” The Beijing Aquarium is using its modest efforts to provide a warm, cozy, and heartfelt haven for more families.

Staying True to Its Mission and Moving Forward, the Beijing Aquarium is about to celebrate its 20th birthday. As an aquarium that has grown with a generation, the Beijing Aquarium has continuously innovated and upgraded through exploration and experimentation. As the hot summer arrives, the aquarium hopes more families can have an “extraordinary” visiting experience here.