Ocean Park Hong Kong
Opened in 1977 and located on 870,000 square meters in the Southern District, Hong Kong’s Ocean Park is extremely easy to access by public transportation. Accessibility to the park will become even more convenient with opening of the MTR Ocean Park Station. Ocean Park is a more popular park than Hong Kong Disneyland and that is reflected in its attendance. Although the park has had its struggles, it seems to have emerged with a solid plan that should serve it well into the future.
The second largest outdoor escalator in the world and a cable car system connect the park’s different areas. In 2006, Forbes ranked Ocean Park Hong Kong the 100th most popular theme park in the world. This is quite a statement of the quality of the park and its attractions. Ocean Park’s expansion of the park will see new rides to thrill visitors, incredible new state-of-the-art exhibits, three hotels and improved dining added to wow visitors.
Ocean Park is far more than just a theme park. It also has very developed laboratories, observatories, and a very well used an education department. Success with their bottlenose dolphin artificial insemination program resulted in Ocean Park becoming a world leader. They have also had a great deal of success in producing new goldfish breeds.
As you arrive at the Main Entrance of Ocean Park, there is a free shuttle that will take you to the Tai Shue Wan Entrance. As you enter Ocean Park Hong Kong at the Tai Shue Wan Entrance, the Flamingo Pond will stop you in your tracks as you admire the colorful birds in the well-designed habitat. A stop at the aviary will truly amaze you as you get a glimpse here and there of some of the most rare birds in the world. In fact there are 33 species of endangered birds housed here.
Ocean Park has rides that will thrill you and your children. A longer roller coaster than Disneyland’s Space Mountain, The Dragon, hurtles along its track and hits a maximum speed of 77km/h speeds evoking screams and gasps from the riders. A relatively common style of ride at many theme parks around the world, the Abyss Turbo Drop allows visitors that choose to venture on it a thrill that never becomes stale, the sensation of plummeting to the earth at incredible speeds. Many other rides like the head-spinning Eagle and the dizzying Crazy Galleon await you when you visit Headland Rides in the Ocean Park Hong Kong.
Marine Land is an amazing place. There are seals and California sea lions playing on the replicated California coast at the Pacific Pier. Seals and sea lions are always a hit with the public. A huge four-story aquarium that simulates the atoll reef with approximately 250 species fish are represented among the more than 2000 fish that dart, flash and laze in the tank. Goldfish, sturgeon, and jellyfish are among the marine exhibits that fascinate and enchant visitors. Once your visit with the aquatic life is done, you can unwind in the serene Japanese Garden.
There is so much to do and see at Ocean Park Hong Kong it will boggle your mind. The park is open from 10AM to 7PM and you will need every minute if you hope to take in the entire park. The Lowland Gardens give visitors the carnival setting of SkyFair, bungee trampoline jumping (not just for kids) and Giant Panda Habitat. Your children will spend hours in Whiskers Harbor. This excellent children’s area with rides, activities, games and a stimulating and fun educational component will keep the children entertained, and give you a little reprieve. Goldfish, Red Pandas, alligators and Panda Village that, despite the name, offers visitors the chance to watch amazing birds and the smallest otter in Asia all serve to lure visitors to the Amazing Asian Animals.
One of the most amazing of the offerings in the park is the ability to meet the dolphins. This truly interactive program will leave you with memories that fill your heart and heart. There is an application process for this program so apply no less than 5 days before you arrive at Ocean Park. The application and criteria are available on the Ocean Park website.
