Swim with whale sharks and fall asleep together afterward—spend the night in an "aquarium" as if you're truly sleeping in the ocean.

▲ Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is the world’s largest marine-themed amusement park.

Reported and photographed by Chen Hanyin, Zhuhai

The beloved characters from the popular animated movie *Finding Dory 2*, the whale shark and beluga whale, made their first appearance and instantly captured the hearts of both children and adults. At Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, you can see the real-life versions of these creatures. Not only can you swim with whale sharks here, but you can also drift off to sleep with them—stay overnight in the aquarium and experience a romantic ocean dream.

▲ A massive 68-meter-tall whale shark landmark.

As the world’s largest marine-themed amusement park, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom’s most eye-catching attraction is the colossal Whale Shark Aquarium. It draws hordes of visitors each year. In addition to its enchanting underwater tunnel, the glass display window—8.3 meters high and 39.6 meters long—offers close-up views of over 20,000 marine creatures, including whale sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles. Swimming gracefully among them, the enormous whale sharks make it hard for visitors to tear themselves away. And if you just can’t bear to leave, why not spend the night sleeping alongside the whale sharks?

▲ The sight of whale sharks swimming right before your eyes is incredibly soothing.

Starting this September, the Whale Shark Aquarium has launched an underwater diving program, allowing visitors not only to observe these majestic creatures but also to gear up and swim with them. Moreover, the aquarium is packed with crowds during the day, making it difficult to quietly appreciate the beauty of the underwater world. The overnight stay program lets guests set up tents inside the aquarium at night, immersing themselves in the mysterious marine ambiance and saying goodnight to the whale sharks as they drift off to a romantic slumber.

▲ Fall asleep accompanied by up to 20,000 marine creatures.

The park provides restroom facilities. Children staying overnight in the aquarium are brimming with excitement. Unlike the lively daytime aquarium, they also get to observe how marine animals sleep. Lights are turned off promptly at 11 p.m., and ambient ocean sounds are played, creating the sensation of truly sleeping deep beneath the sea. The next morning, you can visit the behind-the-scenes area of the Whale Shark Aquarium, gaze down at the massive fish tank from above, watch the whale sharks swim, and learn about marine ecology through guided explanations by caretakers—making for an unforgettable ocean-themed holiday.

▲ The aquarium takes on a unique charm at night.

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
Address: Chimelong International Ocean Resort, Hengqin, Zhuhai, Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China
* A three-day, two-night stay at Chimelong Ocean Kingdom starts from 5,588 RMB. For details, please contact Cola Tourism.