Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park

Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park (上海海昌海洋公园, Shànghǎi Hǎichāng Hǎiyáng Gōngyuán) is a marine theme park beside Dishui Lake in Lingang, on the far southeastern edge of Pudong. It mixes aquarium halls and animal shows with rides, and it is owned by Haichang Ocean Park Holdings.

The park took several years to build. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on 29 March 2015. Trial operations began on 1 October 2018 and the park formally opened on 16 November 2018. According to English Wikipedia, it was first planned for a long, narrow strip on the east side of the lake. Haichang paid three entertainment design firms to draw complete, different parks and let local officials choose; Legacy Entertainment’s design won and was then adapted to the present site on the west side.

The design is easy to read from a distance. Half of the park is themed as polar tundra, marked by an artificial snow-covered mountain; the other half is tropical, marked by an artificial volcano. A canal runs between them, crossed by a gondola lift and two large pedestrian bridges. Chinese Wikipedia describes the 29.7-hectare site as five themed zones. The headline attractions are a launched roller coaster, a river-rapids ride and a killer-whale show and exhibit. An Ultraman-themed hall opened in July 2022, and the resort has its own ocean-themed hotel. The park was rated a national 4A tourist attraction in 2020.

The animals are the other half of the visit. The plans published before opening promised more than 20 species of polar animals and over 20,000 fish of more than 300 species, shown in six exhibition halls, with three large arenas for animal shows, two 4D cinemas and more than ten rides. The park was expected to take up to 64,000 visitors a day and more than six million a year; show times are fixed, so it is worth planning the day around the ones you want to see.

Lingang is a long way from the city centre, on Metro Line 16, so plan on a full day including the journey.

Practical notes: opening hours, show times and ticket prices change by date. Check the official Haichang Ocean Park site before you go.