Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Tickets
One of the world's largest man-made seawater aquariums, it sits in Shanghai's Lujiazui financial district next to the city's iconic Oriental Pearl Tower. It opened in 2002 and is famous for its unusual, pyramid-shaped building as well as for its outstanding focus. It's not only an attraction, it's also a national AAAA-level tourist site and one of the top science education bases. It instantly fuses the two elements of immersive entertainment and substantive conservation education, providing interactive experiences that encourage people to enjoy and preserve our oceans.
Operating Hours and Tour Recommendations
Operating hours: Every day from 09:00 to 18:00.
Recommended playtime: Approximately 3 to 5 hours.
Best visit time: Weekdays during April–June and September–November.
Additional remarks: Plan ahead and book your tickets online to ensure smooth entry.
You need to have your valid ID and reservation confirmation with you.
At busy times, such as the underwater tunnel, you may experience waiting time. It may be nice to visit at off-hours for calmer crowds.
Tourist Reviews and Comments
Most visitors speak highly of Shanghai Ocean Aquarium. Top of the list is a 155-metre-long underwater tunnel with incredible 360° views as sharks, rays and rainbow colored fish swim overhead. Some of the aquarium's 450 species and 12,000+ underwater inhabitants representing five continents include rare oceanic life, penguins and seaturtles.
Reviewers constantly talk of the clean spaces, well laid out displays, and the educational element for both kids and adults. The dolphin presentations and interactive touch pools are especially popular. Although some note that weekend crowds can be daunting, the majority say it's worth braving to see this outstanding collection and have this incredibly immersive experience. Thousands of people have reviewed the aquarium and has an average rating of 4.5/5 stars.
Relevant Guides and Tour Recommendations
Want to easily plan your visit to shanghai Ocean Aquarium? We've put together a complete visitor guide with detailed maps, introductions to must-see exhibits and practical tips. If you can't decide what's best, we also suggest a themed one-day itinerary combining this aquarium and other top attractions in Shanghai so that you won't miss out on anything.
FAQ
1. What are the hours of Shanghai Ocean Aquarium?
The aquarium is accessible daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. At peak times like summer holidays and on public holidays, it stays open until 9:00pm.
2. What is the cost of admission?
An adult ticket is around RMB 160, a child ticket is about RMB
110. There are sometimes discounts for tickets purchased online in advance.
1. How long does a typical visit last?
Visitors typically spend about 2 to 3 hours exploring the aquarium's features, which include the 155-meter underwater tunnel and themed zones.
2. Are there animal feeding or performance demonstrations?
The aquarium doesn't have animal performances, but gives you the chance to see feeding sessions at a variety of feature exhibits, including seals, penguins and sharks.
3. Am I allowed to take pictures in the aquarium?
Yes, most of the museum allows photography and many exhibits — including the jellyfish gallery — are popular for photos. Flash photography is restricted in some areas though.
