Ocean Park Hong Kong

Ocean Park Hong Kong, commonly known as Ocean Park, is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, animal theme park and amusement park, situated in Wong Chuk Hang and Nam Long Shan in the Southern District of Hong Kong. Opened in 1977 by the then Governor of Hong Kong Sir Murray MacLehose, Ocean Park became popular but by 2005 was unprofitable and widely expected to lose out to the new Hong Kong Disneyland. However, the Park responded with a bold HK$5.5 billion development plan that saw it expand to over 80 attractions and rides, and steadily grow visitor numbers to 7.6 million in 2014, making it the world's 13th most visited theme park, and the largest theme park in Asia. Half of all visitors now come from mainland China, in growth that parallels rising mainland tourist visitor levels to Hong Kong over the same period.

Covering an area of 91.5 hectares (226 acres), the park is separated by a large mountain into two areas, The Summit (Headland) and The Waterfront (Lowland). These areas can be reached by a 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) cable car system, or the Ocean Express funicular railway. To ascend the Headland comprises several hills, visitors can use Hong Kong's second longest outdoor escalator.

The theme park has various attractions and rides, including four roller coasters, and also animal exhibits with different themes, such as a giant panda habitat, rainforest and polar displays, as well as an aquarium featuring the world's largest aquarium dome. Between 1979 and 1997, Ocean Park was most famous for its signature killer whale, Miss Hoi Wai (海威小姐).

As well as being an amusement park, Ocean Park Hong Kong aims to merge entertainment and education, including conservation advocacy. However it has been criticised by wildlife advocates for practices including the wild capture of large sea animals, such as dolphins and orca, and the presentation of shows featuring such animals performing.

In 2013-14, Ocean Park had a turnover of HK$2.0 billion, with earnings before tax of HK$633 million.

Attractions

Ocean Park now comprises two main attraction areas: the Waterfront and the Summit, subdivided into eight attraction zones: Amazing Asian Animals, Aqua City, Whiskers Harbour, Marine World, Polar Adventure, Adventure Land, Thrill Mountain and the Rainforest.

Marine World (海洋天地)

Thrill Mountain (動感天地)

Adventure Land (急流天地)

Polar Adventure (冰極天地)

The Rainforest (熱帶雨林天地)

The Waterfront (海濱樂園)

Aqua City (夢幻水都)

Shows

Symbio! (雙龍奇緣)

• In front of the Grand Aquarium in Aqua City, the Lagoon hosts Symbio!, a night time show that features the world's first and only 360° water screen. The show also features lighting, fireworks and sound effects, set against a soundtrack. It illustrates the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature through the story of two dragons.

Emperors of the Sky (天上王者)

• An educational bird show featuring birds of prey including steppes eagles, Lanner falcons, striated caracaras and turkey vultures, along with 70 other species of birds, at the newly refurbished Bird Theatre in Amazing Asian Animals.

Ocean Theatre (海洋劇場)

• Located in Marine World, the Ocean Theatre currently shows "Sea Dreams!", a production featuring the Park's marine animal stars in a story about the importance of marine conservation.

Whiskers' Theatre (威威劇場)

• Located in Whiskers Harbour, Whiskers Theatre features two shows, "Sea Lion Fun Time" and "Whiskers and Friends". The former explores a day in the life of the Park's sea lions, while the latter is a variety show starring the Park's mascots.

How to get there

Bus 629 from Central Pier 7 or from MTR Admiralty Station, Exit B and alight at the park.

source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_Park_Hong_Kong