Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Arriving prepared ensures a full immersion in the wonders behind Shanghai Ocean Aquarium’s entrance. Located near Lujiazui in Pudong, the aquarium stands a short walk from some of Shanghai’s tallest skyscrapers and best transportation links. Plan for lively crowds on weekends and holidays, but quieter corridors on weekday afternoons. Tickets can be bought online to save time, especially in peak season. Wheelchairs and strollers move easily through the accessible layouts, making family visits less stressful. Most guests spend two to three hours exploring, though marine enthusiasts can linger for much longer.

• Best time to visit: Weekdays, especially mornings or late afternoons during spring and autumn offer a calmer experience with shorter lines.
• How to get there: Take Metro Line 2 to Lujiazui Station (Exit 1), then walk east five minutes. Taxis, public buses, and bikes are common choices in Pudong as well.
• Accessibility: Fully accessible for wheelchairs and families with strollers; elevators and ramps are plentiful.
• Average visit duration: Expect to spend 2 to 3 hours.

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium organizes its 15,000 sea creatures into nine beautiful exhibition zones, moving from the China Zone’s rare Yangtze River species to Amazon, Australian, and African galleries. Highlights cluster around massive tanks, vivid coral reefs, and the aquarium’s most famous achievement—the world’s longest underwater viewing tunnel. Here are the experiences that define a visit:

• Underwater Tunnel: Stretching 155 meters, the tunnel immerses guests in 180-degree views of sharks, rays, sea turtles, and swaying kelp forests.
• China Zone: Exclusive displays show critically endangered Chinese sturgeon and Yangtze alligator, unique to eastern China.
• Penguin Gallery: Humboldt penguins waddle and dive in a frosty landscape, drawing cheers from kids and adults alike.
• Amazon Rainforest: A humid slice of South America, filled with electric eels, piranhas, and oversized arapaimas.
• Photo favorites: Vibrant jellyfish tanks, shoals of neon-lit fish, and dramatic window-view backdrops for souvenir snapshots.
• Cultural trivia: Learn about Shanghai’s connection to the mighty Yangtze River and the history of river life conservation in China via educational panels and live talks.