Ocean Park is a major
attraction in Hong Kong, the
luminous pearl of the Orient and world financial center in southeast
China. Hong Kong's mild climate and coastal scenery, attracts
throngs of visitors annually from all over world. Any visit to Hong
Kong should include the world famous Ocean Park.
Hong Kong Ocean Park is located on the south end of
Hong Kong Island. The larger of two sections is on the headlands of
Mount Nanlang. The smaller section is in the Huang Zhu Keng Valley
lowlands. With an area of 170 acres, it's one of the largest ocean
parks in the world. The two entrances to Ocean Park (Tai Shue Wan
Entrance and Main Entrance) are connected by cable-car.
Imagine a virtual trip through the ocean park from the
lowland section to the headland section:
The trip starts from the middle Kingdom neighboring the
Tai Shue Wan Entrance. At the middle Kingdom, tourists will see many
ancient structures such as temples, pavilions and streets. Walking
through the middle Kingdom, you come upon the Hong Kong Jockey Giant
Panda Habitat, home to two lovely pandas, Anan the male, and Jiajia
the female. Both are very popular and appear contented in their lush
green environs. Tourists enjoy watching them eat and sleep.
Beyond the Panda habitat one enters the 'Dinosaur-Now and Then'
exhibits. Here tourists will see vivid dinosaur models, especially
the model of Tyrannosaurus Rex. Learn how the dinosaurs became
extinct 65 million years ago. 'Dinosaur- Now and Then' attractions
include the Chinese Alligator and Chinese Giant Salamander.
Continue on to the Dolphin Breeding Center. Here
tourists will learn of dolphins' daily living habits and the
importance of protecting this intelligent maritime mammal. Tourists
can view at eight bottlenose dolphins including two little dolphins
bred by artificial insemination for the first time in the world.
Additional wildlife exhibits on the lowland section
include the Butterfly House, the Goldfish Pagoda among others. Most
of the exhibitions emphasize the importance of protecting endangered
species.
When visitors are ready for cool relaxation and a swim,
they will find the Water Paradise delightful. The Water Paradise is
one of the most well equipped aquatic entertainment centers in Asia.
Thrill seekers can slide down a huge slide or jump into the water
from a diving platform. A swim through the zigzag watercourse will
have you wanting to return to the Ocean Park.
Taking the cable car, visitors ascend to the headland
section. From the cable car, you will have an unparalleled
spectacular view of Hong Kong Island and the sublime South China Sea
beyond. From here you can see the expanse of the marvelous maritime
landscape comprised of Atoll Reef, Shark Aquarium, Ocean Theater,
Ocean Park Tower and among others.
Atoll Reef is shaped like a three or four storied
elliptical fishbowl. Tourist can view a variety of fish through six
centimeters (about 2.4 inches) glass windows. Atoll Reef is divided
into the shadow and the deep levels each exhibiting its
characteristic aquatic life. The collection includes sharks,
tropical fish and nautilus. Visitors will see morays, groupers,
turtles and over 400 kinds of maritime animals from the Pacific
Islands or the South China Sea. Apart from fish, some corals and
cays are exhibited. Look, a tiny Pomacentridae fish and a gigantic
Zebra Shark are swimming leisurely in the expansive Atoll Reef.
Actually, the Shark Aquarium is an underwater viewing
tunnel to observe the dangerous maritime creatures. In the aquarium,
Black Tip Reef Shark, Pygmy Swell Shark and other kinds of sharks
may startle you as they approach. Be prepared to look sharks eye to
eye as they pass safely overhead. If you time it right, you might
see divers feeding or playing with sharks.
Ocean Theater is the most famous and popular spot in
the whole Ocean Park. It is an open-air theater in which dolphins
and sea lions stage a wonderful performance in a huge pond. Under
the guidance of trainers, adorable dolphins and sea lions stand in a
line or jump into water and raise theirs heads out of water. You
will be thrilled by their theatrics.
Ocean Park Tower in the headland section is another
aerial vantage point, with a height of 72 meters (about 236 feet).
It's slowly revolving cabin enables one to catch a panoramic view of
the whole park when it rotates from the ground to the top.
Hong Kong Ocean Park also is famous for its many
thrilling rides on the headland. The latest ride is the Abyss Turbo
drop, which moves vertically on a 185 foot tower. As the platform
slowly ascends, riders have an overall view of the ocean park. The
platform stops briefly at the top before it drops abruptly,
surprising even the prepared. The thrill is hard to express. Flying
Swing is another ride where tourists are swung in chairs as high as
seven meters (about 23 feet) through a gyrating wave. When it begins
to swing, it seems riders will be thrown off. Another very visceral
ride is the Roller Coaster, the longest one in Hong Kong. It twists
and swoops with a maximum speed of 77 kilometers (almost 48 miles)
per hour. Screams reach a crescendo as trilled riders are briefly
suspended upside down. The thrill remains even after the ride is
over.
Hong Kong Ocean Park will fill your day with wonder,
pleasure and excitement and reward you with satisfying memories of
your visit to the impressive Hong Kong Ocean Park. |
