Ocean Park

Ocean Park Hong Kong is a must-visit attraction! Winner of the 2012 Applause Award, the world’s top theme park award, and included in TripAdvisor's "Top Amusement Parks & Water Parks in Asia" list, Ocean Park also ranks 12th for attendance among thousands of amusement parks around the world by the TEA/AECOM Global Attractions Attendance Report 2012.

The park stretches over 226 acres of stunning parkland that’s separated by a large mountain into two areas called The Summit and The Waterfront. These are connected by a cable car and also a funicular, and if that wasn’t enough, Ocean Park Hong Kong visitors can travel down a steep hill called the Headland via an outside escalator!

There are lots of different attractions here. First and foremost, the animal exhibits steal the show; get up close with iconic giant pandas, cute red pandas, rainforest and polar displays, the world’s largest aquarium dome and amazing ‘home grown’ creatures like Asian otters. The park has various attractions and rides including four roller coasters that are designed with different animal themes in mind and will please even most die-hard roller coaster fans. World class, the park contributes a lot to conservation advocacy and the environment, too. Definitely not one to miss.

This year, the park celebrates its 40th anniversary. As part of the festivities, classic 70s Hong Kong street food is on offer throughout the year - with a delicious modern twist! Once you’re full of yummy dishes, head down to Aqua City, which is by far one of the park’s best animal exhibits. Here you can watch Symbio, a multi-sensory show that features the world’s first 360 degree water screen! Explore the Grand Aquarium and don’t miss the chance to head into Neptune’s Restaurant where you can experience Hong Kong’s first aquarium dining experience!

Another fishy attraction to look out for is Ocean Park’s Shark Mystique exhibit, which invites visitors to journey underwater to meet sharks face to face. Prepare to think about our fin-shaped friends a little differently after the park helps to dispel many myths about them. And make sure you catch a glimpse of the aquarium’s sawfish - you might mistake it for an actual saw!

You’ve absolutely got to ride the cable car that connects both areas of the park - the views are stunning. It’s a good idea to go to the upper levels of the park using the cable car and then descend to the lower levels using the Ocean Express Train if you’re trying to fit in a lot in one day as it’ll be quicker.

If you’re trying to plan a day here, it’s good to know that the lower levels are directed towards much smaller kids, and the upper levels towards older children. It really worth spending the day here as there’s so much do and the eating options are plenty and good quality so you won’t feel stuck for choice, especially if you’re visiting with kids. Bring bottled water, however, as Hong Kong’s weather can be sticky and hot so it’s important to keep hydrated as you hop between rides.