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Ocean Park
Hong Kong Ocean Park is a marine park/amusement park/animal
laboratory/zoo combination. So while you can watch amusing dolphin
shows in the poolside public stands, there is a serious research
program for breeding and care of animals going on in the same area.
The park's laboratory was the first to artificially inseminate and
breed a bottlenose dolphin. The park is large enough to require
several means of mass transit. It is divided into the Waterfront
section and the Summit section. The rides are among the best in the
world, and the animal exhibits including both land and water animals
are world-class.
The water animal exhibits include a walk through shark aquarium
where you walk through an underwater tunnel and see species of sharks
from around the world. In the Atoll Reef aquarium area, there are
perhaps 2,000 fish of scores of species in an aquarium four stories
tall. The stars of the underwater displays were rare giant Chinese
sturgeons that were sent by the government of China. But several died,
and the remaining two were sick and were sent back to China in 2009.
It is estimated that there are only about 1,000 Chinese sturgeons
left.
The land animal exhibits include aviaries, the Amazing Birds
Show, and the Amazing Asian Animals Exhibit. In the Amazing Asian
Animals Exhibit, you can find rare and interesting land animals. There
are currently four pandas that are almost extinct in the wild. These
animals are probably China's favorite, and mainland Chinese visit to
see them. They are named An An, Jia Jia, Ying Ying, and Le Le.
There may also be "small pandas", also called red pandas, when
you arrive. These smaller animals are even more interesting than
pandas in my opinion because they look like large, unusually long
house cats. But their coloring and way of moving is extraordinary and
non-catlike. I was amazed when I saw some. Most people don't know that
this type of animal exists. They are not feline animals. Like pandas,
they seem to sleep a lot.
There are about 20 amusement rides. The rides includes a large
Ferris wheel, two roller coasters including The Dragon that reaches a
top speed of 77 kilometers an hour, a water ride, and a free fall drop
deck called The Abyss that that is a tall steel girder tower 20
stories high that has two cabins that drop down to the ground in about
5 seconds. The newer rides are being built to attract young people
looking for thrills.
In order to get around in the park and see the views, there are
also transportation rides including Ocean Express, a tram system, and
the world's second longest outdoor escalator that transports people in
the area. It is expected that there will be an MTR route to the park.
Also read the most popular aquariums and ocean parks in China.
Location
Near Wong Chuk Hang in the Southern District on Hong Kong
Island. It is on the other side of Victoria Peak from the main Hong
Kong city urban area.
Features
Fun new modern rides including the new The Dragon roller
coaster and the The Abyss.
World class facilities including a panda exhibit,
transportation systems, the huge four storey aquarium and the
walk-through shark aquarium.
It is a non-profit facility so ticket prices are moderate. The
elderly and disabled can enter for free.
Not as commercialized as other large theme parks, so there is
less high-pressure sales tactics.
Beautiful coastal scenery.
Besides being an amusement park, Ocean Park Hong Kong also
operates well developed laboratories for research, has an education
department and operates funds for wildlife preservation and research.
The park has good restaurants and shops for souvenirs.
Touring Activities
Ride in the amusement rides.
Tour the area on the transportation sy
Buy souvenirs.
Dine in the restaurants.
Traveling Information
Best Time to Visit: Hong Kong is still fairly warm and is drier
in October and November.
Hours: 10 am - 6 pm; 10 am – 11 pm in the summers.
Ticket prices keep changing and are increasing. But tickets
cost about 27 USD for adults and 14 USD for children.
Tel:(852) 2580-9092
In Park Transport: Between the Summit and the Waterfront
sections, you can take the Ocean Express rail system or the cable car.
The cable car gives you good views of the ocean and area, and the
Ocean Express has interesting underwater excitement. To get around on
the Summit area, you can take the world's second longest outdoor
escalator.
Transportation: Bus 629 from MTR Admiralty Station Exit B.
Octopus Card: Hong Kong is fairly unique in the world because
you can purchase cards that you can swipe to pay for MTR and bus fare,
and it can be used to pay for many other things as well such as
purchases at supermarkets, convenience stores and restaurants. The
card allows people to travel without standing in line to buy tickets.
Card holders simply swipe their cards and their fares are deducted
electronically. You can buy these at the MTR station ticket windows.
Nearby Attractions
The city and territory of 7 million has another zoo, a large
aviary (bird zoo), two other large amusement parks, and lots of
natural areas for hiking and swimming.
Though Ocean Park is Hong Kong's favorite amusement park, Hong
Kong Disneyland that was opened in 2005 is the biggest with about 300
acres of land and ambitious development plans. It is located on Lantau
Island and is near Hong Kong's airport.
Lantau Island itself is an interesting place to visit if you
want to go hiking on long trails through natural surroundings. You can
climb the small mountains, stay in the hotels or hostels, eat in the
restaurants and hike along the seashore and on the beaches. The hiking
paths are not crowded. You can go there via ferry from Central Pier.
About 40% of Hong Kong is protected in 23 parks, including
three marine parks and one marine reserve. Hiking trails, waterfalls,
clean swimming spots, places to fish, lakes, rivers and some of Asia's
best beaches are within walking distance from the modern rapid transit
train stations or a public bus station, and they are often empty or
have few visitors each day. Some of Asia's best beaches and natural
ocean areas are empty, but easily accessible. The 10 tallest mountain
peaks all have hiking trails. Books and trail guides are easy to find
in book stores and information kiosks.
The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is the largest
zoo and is also a botanical garden, and it is easily accessible right
above Central District on the other side of Hong Kong Island from
Ocean Park. Admission is free.
Right by the Zoological and Botanical Gardens is Hong Kong
Parkwith one of the world's largest walk-through aviaries where you
walk through a very large cage filled with many species of birds
flying around and perched. It is a public park where there is also a
large plant conservatory, museums and interesting exhibits and
recreational facilities. Admission to almost everything except the
squash courts and restaurants is free.
Noah's Ark is Hong Kong's newest theme park. It was opened in
May of 2009 and contains a huge replica of Noah's ark that is 137
meters long. It contains an exhibit of Hong Kong's biggest meteorite,
a rope obstacle course, full scale mock-ups of large animals, large
screen theaters, restaurants and a hotel.
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