Elizabeth Steiner – My First Dawn in China in 2008 My introduction to China happened by chance. After being let go from a publishing house in Munich, I bought a one-way ticket to Beijing, with only small savings and a phrasebook. During my first week, I stayed in a hostel where I met an elderly Chinese woman named Lin. She invited me to stay in her home, and it was there that I discovered the real China – the familial one, with its rituals and unwritten rules. I remember my first dawn on the Great Wall of China – I got there with a group of local enthusiasts, and that's when I felt this land had become part of my soul. Instead of the planned two weeks, I stayed for a year. I learned the language working as a translator for tourists, and later as a guide. Every penny I earned went into traveling around the country. For 17 years now, I've worked as a China expert. I currently live in Xi'an, and my second base is an estate in the Huangshan mountains, where I host travelers who want to experience the authentic China. Over these years, I've created a library of unique routes, written the book "Beyond the Wall: Unknown China Through European Eyes," and help travelers discover the country I fell in love with many years ago.

Imagine a theme park that combines a breathtaking cable car soaring over the sea, a café where you can dine with penguins, a submarine-designed underground train, and giant pandas trying to dodge cameras. This is Ocean Park, one of the most unique and fascinating theme parks in the world.

Ocean Park is more than just a regular theme park. It’s a captivating blend of zoo, oceanography, and amusement park, sprawling across 91.5 square kilometers in the southern part of Hong Kong Island. With over 12,000 animals and more than 80 attractions, the park welcomes over 7 million visitors annually and is considered one of the most popular theme parks worldwide.

Park Structure: Two Completely Different Areas

Ocean Park is divided into two main areas, each offering a completely different experience:

The Waterfront

This area is located near the park entrance. Here you’ll find the large oceanarium, family-friendly attractions suitable for young children, and numerous dining options. This area is particularly suitable for families with young children or those who prefer a more relaxed experience.

The Summit

This area is located on the mountain peak and includes the most thrilling attractions, exotic wildlife habitats, and spectacular viewpoints overlooking the South China Sea. Here you’ll find the park’s main roller coaster and other adrenaline attractions.

Ocean Park Hong Kong

How to Travel Between Areas?

Getting from the lower area to the upper area is one of the most special experiences in the park. You have two options:

Cable Car

This is undoubtedly the most popular attraction in the park. The ride takes about 10-15 minutes and offers breathtaking views of the bay, green mountains, and Hong Kong city. The cable car reaches a height of approximately 200 meters above sea level!

Pro tip: Take the cable car early in the morning or at the end of the day to avoid long queues.

Ocean Express

A fast and efficient funicular train that looks like a submarine from the inside. The ride takes only 4 minutes and includes special effects that make you feel like you’re swimming underwater. This option is especially recommended if there’s a long queue for the cable car or if you prefer something faster.

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The Grand Aquarium: A Spectacular Underwater World

The Grand Aquarium is undoubtedly one of the park’s main focal points. It contains over 5,000 fish from 400 different species, including sharks, rays, and colorful tropical fish. What makes this aquarium special is the giant wall that stands about 15 meters high, providing the feeling of watching a real underwater world.

Don’t miss the spectacular coral tunnel, where you walk underwater while sharks and giant fish swim above you. The atmosphere here is almost mystical, especially when the soft lighting creates a spectacular play of shadows.

Pro tip: If you love the aquarium, book a table at Neptune’s Restaurant located right next to the aquarium. There you can enjoy an excellent contemporary Chinese cuisine meal while exotic fish swim beside you.

Ocean Park Hong Kong

Meeting the Park’s Stars: Giant Pandas

If there’s one attraction every Ocean Park visitor must see, it’s the giant pandas in the Giant Panda Adventure area. The park currently houses six pandas, including two cubs – the largest number of pandas outside China.

The pandas live in a special greenhouse that mimics their natural environment in the Sichuan mountains. The best time to see them active is early in the morning or late afternoon when they’re at their peak activity.

Beyond the giant pandas, in the Asian area you can also meet adorable red pandas, a giant Chinese salamander (the world’s largest amphibian), and rare Asian crocodiles.

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The Polar World: Penguins and Arctic Animals

The Polar Adventure area offers a glimpse into the polar circles without leaving tropical Hong Kong. In the South Pole Spectacular, you’ll find over 90 penguins from three different species: king penguins, rockhopper penguins, and gentoo penguins.

The most special place here is Tuxedos Restaurant where you can eat a delicious meal while penguins swim and play in the pool right next to you. The front tables are the most sought after, so be sure to book in advance.

In the North Pole Encounter area, you’ll meet giant seals – Pacific walruses and spotted seals. The place is designed like a real iceberg, and you can see the animals both from above and through underwater windows.

Ocean Park Hong Kong

High-Level Adrenaline: Thrill Mountain

If you’re looking for intense experiences at Ocean Park, Thrill Mountain is the place for you. Here are located the park’s most extreme attractions.

Hair Raiser

This is undoubtedly the queen of the park. It’s a B&M Floorless roller coaster with four loops and spectacular curves. What makes this coaster unique is that it’s built on a mountain peak, so you can enjoy spectacular views of the South China Sea during the ride. Although it’s a bit rough, the thrilling experience makes up for everything.

The Flash

This is an extreme attraction that lifts you to a height of 22 meters at a speed of 60 km/h and creates a force of 3.9G. This is one of the most thrilling attractions in the park – not for the faint of heart!

Wild Twister

This is a relatively new attraction added to the park. It’s a type of giant wheel that spins you at three different rotation points simultaneously and creates a force of up to 4G. The word “wild” in its name really describes the experience.

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Each of you will receive a unique PDF file from us, which contains everything you need: travel routes, car rentals, hotels, the best tourist attractions, attractions for kids and everything you need for a perfect vacation.

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Our service will make your trip comfortable, save a lot of time on planning and preparation, and most importantly – will allow you to become freer and fully enjoy the pleasure of the trip.

The Tropical Jungle: Wandering in the Wild

The Rainforest area is relatively small, but it offers two delightful experiences.

The Rapids

This is a classic water attraction that takes you on a journey following a winding river through a jungle full of tropical vegetation, waterfalls, and water cannons. On hot days, this is an excellent way to cool down – just be prepared to get soaked to the bone!

Expedition Trail

This is a fascinating walking tour through a carefully designed jungle, where you’ll meet colorful poisonous frogs, cute capybaras, and various tropical birds including beautiful toucans. The trail is well-designed and offers spectacular photo opportunities.

Ocean Park Hong Kong

Marine World: Encounter with Fascinating Marine Life

The Marine World area is the largest in the park and offers a wide variety of experiences. Here you’ll find the Ocean Park Tower, a revolving observation tower that reaches 72 meters high and offers 360-degree views of the park, city, and nearby islands. This is one of the tallest observation towers in Asia.

Sea Jelly Spectacular

This is a magical underwater garden with over 1,000 jellyfish in all shapes and sizes. The atmosphere here is almost dreamlike, with changing lighting and soothing music creating an almost meditative experience.

Shark Mystique

This is an impressive aquarium with over 100 sharks and rays. The information about the different species is very interesting and helps understand the importance of shark conservation in nature.

Pacific Pier

This is a great opportunity to see sea lions and California seals up close. The animals here are well cared for and there are feeding opportunities throughout the day.

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Prices and Financial Details

According to current official prices, admission to Ocean Park costs HK$498 for adults (12 and up) and HK$249 for children (ages 3-11). Prices include access to all attractions, animal exhibits, and shows, except skill games and coin-operated games.

Special Discounts

  • Children under 3 enjoy free admission
  • Hong Kong residents aged 65 and above with Hong Kong ID or “Senior Citizen Card” from the Social Welfare Department also enjoy free admission
  • Hong Kong residents celebrating their birthday on the day of visit are entitled to free admission

Money-saving tip: Purchasing tickets online through sites like Klook, Trip.com, or Thrillark can save you up to 15-20% off the price. Tickets are valid for 180 days from purchase date, providing flexibility in planning your visit.

Food in the park is relatively expensive, with basic meals costing between HK$80-150. The cheapest option is McDonald’s, but if you want a special experience, the best restaurants are Neptune’s Restaurant, Ginger Grill, and Tuxedos Restaurant.

Advanced Ticket Options

  • FasTrack Standard ticket: Provides priority access to 7 attractions of your choice for an additional fee
  • FasTrack Pro ticket: Provides priority access to all attractions and rides in the park

Important note: Park admission requires advance booking through the official website. It’s recommended to purchase tickets only from authorized sites to avoid fake or invalid tickets.

Ocean Park Hong Kong

How to Get There and When to Visit

Transportation

The most convenient way is by subway (MTR) on the South Island line to Ocean Park station. The station is located right next to the park entrance. You can also arrive by bus or taxi, but the train is most efficient.

Operating Hours

The park is open daily from 10:00 to 19:00 (hours may vary according to season or special events). It’s important to check the official schedule before visiting.

Important update: Starting May 28, the operating hours of “Giant Panda Adventure” changed to 10:00-16:30 until further notice. This means if you want to see the pandas, it’s important to arrive earlier in the day.

Hot recommendation: Arrive at 9:30 to be among the first to enter. This way you can take the cable car without queuing and start the day in the Summit area before it gets crowded. Car parking is open from 9:00 until 30 minutes before park closing.

It’s important to know that weather can affect attraction operations. Light rain can cause outdoor attractions to close, so check the weather forecast before visiting. The park is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in certain weeks for maintenance.

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Professional Tips for a Perfect Visit

The Perfect Visit Guide

Start the morning with a Summit cable car ride, first explore the thrilling attractions when they’re not yet crowded, then move on to visiting the animals. In the afternoon, go down to Waterfront to visit the Oceanarium and quieter parts. End the day with evening shows at the Lagoon.

What to Bring

  • Comfortable shoes (you’ll walk more than 10,000 steps!)
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat
  • Water bottle
  • If you plan to ride The Rapids or other water attractions, bring change of clothes or a raincoat

Must-See Attractions

  • The cable car
  • Giant pandas
  • Penguins at Tuxedos Restaurant
  • Grand Aquarium
  • If you love adrenaline – Hair Raiser

Ocean Park Hong Kong

The Less Perfect Side

Honestly, it’s important to note that Ocean Park isn’t perfect. Some facilities show signs of aging and need renovation. The problem is particularly noticeable in certain areas that look outdated compared to other modern theme parks.

Additionally, visitors’ most common complaint is that food is very expensive, and quality doesn’t always match the price. In bad weather, many attractions close even in light rain, which can make the visit disappointing.

Is It Worth the Visit?

Without a doubt, yes! Ocean Park offers a unique experience that can’t be found anywhere else. The combination of nature, marine animals, thrilling attractions, and spectacular views creates an unforgettable experience. It’s not just a theme park – it’s a destination that combines entertainment, education, and natural beauty.

If you’re visiting Hong Kong with family, Ocean Park is an absolute must. Even adults without children will enjoy the experience, especially the spectacular views, spectacular cable car, and impressive collection of marine animals.

Dedicate a full day to the visit – this is really the minimum time needed to see everything without rushing. Don’t forget – this isn’t just a theme park, it’s an experience that will stay with you for a long time.

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Emma Heidi - Itinerary Expert

Emma Heidi


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