To promote the park’s opening, the ocean polar park produced a humorous and witty self-introduction video titled “What the Penguin Has to Say,” which sparked a wave of online shares. According to incomplete statistics, since the video’s initial release, it has garnered over 10 million views and more than 8,000 reposts and comments on Weibo, receiving widespread acclaim online.
By the day of the opening, Qujiang Ocean Polar Park had become the focus of the entire city. During the Spring Festival, it received a total of over 40,000 visitors. Every venue was bustling with activity and filled with excitement, as many families—young and old alike—flocked to see the animals from the polar regions.
The adorable polar animals have also won high praise from Xi’an residents. On Weibo and forums, many netizens listed the ocean polar park as the “most popular destination” during the Spring Festival holiday. A survey on an online forum showed that penguins, polar bears, and beluga whales are the most beloved polar animals.
Netizen @兰塔海边的寄居蟹 posted on Weibo: “There were so many people in the polar exhibit—three layers deep!” Netizen @Lindalei commented on photos of the animals: “@Qujiang Ocean Polar Park is much more fun than the previous aquarium. The newly added penguins, polar bears, beluga whales... are all super cute!” Netizen @susanlcy remarked: “Visiting the polar park during the Spring Festival is relaxing and wonderful!” The Xi’an Municipal Bureau of Tourism also included Qujiang Ocean Polar Park as one of the featured items in the “Xi’an Spring Festival Tourism Activity Guide.”