Recently being China's Space Day, and with the "Tianzhou-1" cargo spacecraft and the "Tiangong-2" space lab having completed their first rendezvous and docking — the perfect gift for China's Space Day — the highly modern and high-tech "Qingdao No. 1" Underwater Doctor Space Lab, built with massive investment, will also be stationed at Qingdao Underwater World. It will be home to a myriad of "underwater model workers" who will keep the Underwater Doctor company and participate in scientific experiments.
The Underwater Doctor Space Lab combines dazzling AR (augmented reality) technology, holographic projections, and a stunning display of exquisite marine life, achieving a perfect fusion of the real underwater world and a virtual fantasy realm. Visitors can enjoy an extraordinary experience of three-dimensional space and real-time interaction. The "underwater model workers" — such as the "underwater fish doctor," "underwater mammal caretaker," and "underwater cleaner" — are premium marine creatures selected from hundreds of species and thousands of individuals, recognized for their hardworking and dedicated qualities. Thus, this lab realizes a perfect blend of virtual and real, high-tech beauty and positive energy, making it truly worth looking forward to.
Virtual Floating Platform Experience Tech Fantasy
Upon entering the underwater space lab, you’ll immediately see the central virtual floating platform, resembling the control panel in a spaceship station. Press any of the eight buttons on it, and 3D holographic images of marine creatures will appear in rotation on the platform. They spin and dance, allowing visitors from any angle to feast their eyes.
Desktop AR Ocean Get Up Close with "Nemo"
In the Desktop AR Ocean experience area, visitors can play with fun marine life quizzes on the computer screen. When you correctly identify a marine creature card, a 3D animated action of that creature will pop up. When you touch it with your finger, it reacts and interacts with you. Accompanied by eight marine animals including clownfish Nemo, beluga whales, and sharks, you’ll have plenty to explore and enjoy.
Virtual Aquarium Raise Your Favorite Fish
Can you raise a coral fish of your choice among colorful coral reefs? In the Virtual Aquarium, powerful AR technology makes this possible. Visitors can choose one of five buttons on the console to select their favorite fish to place in a virtual coral reef scene. There, the fish will swim freely and joyfully, accompanied by elegant seaweed and playful bubbles.
"Underwater Model Workers" Move into the Smart Exhibit Tank
The premium exhibit tank showcasing "underwater model worker" creatures also utilizes AR technology to provide multimedia-based popular science explanations about live marine organisms. After nearly 15 years of development, Qingdao Underwater World has nurtured a large number of "role models" across various species "fields," all set to move into the Underwater Doctor Space Lab before May Day.
Underwater Fish Doctor: The Blue-streaked Cleaner Wrasse, commonly known as Piaopiao. Its specialty is helping larger fish remove parasites. As the "doctor fish" in the marine ornamental fish system, it works diligently and was among the first to be selected. To contrast it, a negative example is also displayed — the fake "fish doctor," the Three-striped Cleaner Shrimp, which mimics the appearance of a "doctor fish" to approach larger fish, pecks at their fins, skin, or scales, and then quickly flees back to its shelter. Hence, it’s nicknamed the "fake fish doctor."
Underwater Shrimp Doctor: Cleaner Shrimp. They often appear in groups, setting up cleaning stations on coral reefs and waiting for fish to come close for cleaning. They even venture into the mouths of large fish to perform risky cleaning tasks — their dedication is truly exceptional.
In addition, other creatures have also moved in, such as the "underwater mover" Spotted Clownfish, the "underwater cleaner" Algae-eating Snail and Golden-winged Fire Kylin, the "underwater power engineer" Lantern Cheek, the "underwater exemplary father" Pipefish, the "underwater dancer" Striped Razorfish, the Black Tube-nosed Moray, the "underwater builder" Bumpy Crab, the "underwater armored warrior" Magnificent Spiny Lobster, the "underwater mammal caretaker" Nipple Coral, the "underwater assassin" Long-spined Sea Urchin, and the "underwater master of disguise" Sailfin Scorpionfish. All of them are "model workers" in the underwater world.
Visiting Qingdao Underwater World, if walking through the underwater tunnel makes you feel like you’re actually beneath the sea, swimming with the fish and experiencing harmony with nature, then entering the "Qingdao No. 1" Underwater Doctor Space Lab is like boarding a spaceship and immersing yourself in the magical technology of the vast universe. From sky to sea, joy abounds.
Online Ticket Purchase for the Underwater World is Convenient and Affordable
Purchase adult all-access tickets, family packages (2 adult tickets + 1 half-price ticket), student half-price tickets, and more on the official Underwater World website, WeChat, or through OTAs such as Ctrip, Qunar, Meituan, Xianxing Net, Qunar, Lvmama, Tuniu, and Dianping, and enjoy discounts of 20–50 yuan. Super value.
Extra Performances During May Day Holiday
During the three-day holiday, Qingdao Underwater World’s three major shows — the upgraded "Dance with Sharks," "Fantasy Mermaids," and "Underwater Backyard" — will all have additional performances. With 11 shows per day, there’s a continuous lineup of thrilling entertainment.