OCEAN PARK AND OCEAN PARK WATER WORLD

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Ocean Square at Ocean Park's main entrance. The park celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2022


OCEAN PARK (see separate section towards bottom of page for WATER WORLD)

Located at Wong Chuk Hang near Aberdeen on the south side of Hong Kong Island, Ocean Park opened in 1977 and was Hong Kong’s first theme park. The park, which occupies an area of over 87 hectares combines attractions, entertainment, conservation and education. The park was initially a subsidiary of Hong Kong Jockey Club, which funded its construction on land donated by the Hong Kong Government. Since 1987 the park has been managed by Ocean Park Corporation, a financially independent statutory body which operates the park on a "not for profit" basis with a government appointed board of trustees.

Following a period of decline in the years up to 2004 when the future of the park was in doubt, attendances in recent years have soared and the park broke its own attendance record eight times in nine years reaching 7.7 million for the financial year ended 30th June 2013, an increase of 9% on the previous year. The financial year ended 30th June 2014 recorded a slight drop in attendance to 7.6 million, attributed to a new mainland law banning "forced shopping" group tours and inclement weather during the beginning of the year and during the financial year ended 30th June 2015 a further drop in annual attendance by about 2.5% to 7.4 million was announced. The spectacular run of growth in attendances until 2013 appears all the more impressive considering the park was expected to face major competition following the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland theme park in 2005. Attendances in recent years have been boosted by visitors from mainland China who now account for about 53% of visitors to the park, which received its one millionth visitor on 18th February 2011. The average daily attendance is about 21,000 but during the peak season of July and August the average daily attendance increases to over 26,000 and 33,000 respectively. During the financial year ended June 2014 the park generated revenue of about HK$2 billion (up from HK$1.857 million for the year ended June 2013) with a net surplus of HK$96 million (down from HK$127.2 million for 2013). For the financial year ended June 2015 revenue was HK$1.968 billion with a net surplus of HK$45.2 million. The park suffered a decline in attendance of 18.8% to about 6 million for the fiscal year ended June 2016 owing to the reduction in Mainland China visitors to Hong Kong and the park made a record loss of HK$241.1 million against revenue of HK$1.6418 million. For the financial year ended June 2017 the park increased its revenues to HK$1.619 million and reduced its deficit to HK$234.4 million despite a small drop in attendance to 5.8 million. The financial year ended June 2018 saw a 4% increase in revenue to HK$1,686.2 million although attendance remained unchanged at 5.8 million. A net deficit of HK$236.5 million was attributed to increased attraction maintenance and operating costs, substantial additional investment in entertainment and hospitality and high depreciation of assets. The financial year ended June 2019 saw a 2.9% increase in revenue to HK$1.7 billion although attendance saw a slight decline to 5.7 million. The net deficit more than doubled to HK$557.3 largely due to a substantial increase in repair and maintenance costs resulting from damage caused by Typhoon Mangkhut. Financial performance is expected to deteriorate further in the next financial year owing to the substantial decline in attendance owing to government protests since July 2019. Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in 139 days of temporary closures and a reduction in operating capacity attendance for the fiscal year ended June 2020 declined substantially to 2.2 million from 5.7 in the previous year. Revenue was down from HK$1.734 million to HK$717million and in view of the dire financial situation the government provided HK$5.4 billion of emergency funding to allow the park to continue to operate for a further year. Performance during the fiscal year ended 30th June 2021 was again severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The park was closed from 1st July 2020 to 17th February 2021 with a loss of 146 operating days and reopened on 18th February with severly reduced capacity. This resulted in a 36% plunge in visitor attendance to 1.4 million and a 45% drop in revenue to HK$393.6 million compared to the previous fiscal year. The net operating deficit was HK$1,111.6 million before netting off with the Government’s funding support received in the fiscal year. The fiscal year ended 30 June 2022, covered both Ocean Park and Water World Ocean Park. Attendance numbers, still heavily affected by pandemic restrictions, were 1.4 million, similar to the previous year. Water World, which opened on 21st September 2021attracted 0.2 million visitors to the end of the fiscal year. Although the mandatory temporary closure of 105 days for Ocean Park and 128 days for Water World in compliance with government guidelines, Ocean Park’s year-on-year revenue increased by 15.6%. The Corporation’s year-on-year revenue increased by 38.5% while the revenue per capita grew by 21.2%. Also, the Corporation’s effort to streamline costs resulted in a HK$436.2 million surplus from operations inclusive of government funding. Ocean Park Corporation recorded a deficit of HK$1,815.7 million for the fiscal year 2021–2022, though this was mainly due to HK$1,764.7 million of one-off impairment losses on the property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets, and depreciation and other loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets of HK$513.7 million. The impairment losses, however, were only for book provision and had no impact on the Corporation’s cash flow. As at 30 June 2022, the Corporation held bank balances and cash of HK$1,311.6 million, indicating that it maintained a healthy cash position.

Financial performance improved impressively in the fiscal year 2022–2023 for which a surplus of HK$118.5 million for Ocean Park and Water World. The results were particularly good considering Hong Kong’s borders only fully reopened in the first quarter of 2023. The number of visitors from home and overseas increased by more than 45%, reaching a total of 2.4 million for Ocean Park and Water World. Revenue growth surpassed footfall growth and increased 54% year-on-year from HK$545.1million to HK$839.1 million, while revenue per capita recorded a year-on-year increase of 6%. Results were positive across business areas, with admission income up 57%, merchandise income up 55%, catering income up 39% and other in-park spending up 63%, compared with fiscal year 2021–2022.

Ocean Park now employs about 2,000 full-time staff compared to 600 in 2006, and also employs a further 2,000 part-time staff during busy periods such as Halloween. The current capacity of the park is 36,000 but is limited to about 33,000 in the interests of visitor comfort. The park sold out on three days during Chinese New Year 2011, the first time this has occurred since 2005 and during Chinese New Year in 2013 the park suspended ticket sales for part of the day on two days to prevent the number of visitors exceeding the park's own limit for visitor comfort. It is ranked the twelfth most visited theme park in the world and fifth most visited theme park in Asia.

Ocean Park has a cooperation agreement with the Chinese mainland's largest marine theme park operator, Haichang, which operates six parks, in Dalian , Qingdao , Tianjin , Yantai , Wuhan and Chengdu. The agreement was extended for three years in August 2014 and in addition to exchanging marine knowledge and aquarium creatures, the two organisations will work more closely in brand-name promotion and marketing, personnel development, animal sustainability and technical knowledge..

In addition to being a theme park, is also an important marine animal conservation, research and education centre. A major HK$5.5 billion redevelopment and expansion programme commenced in 2006 and was completed by mid-2012 which has seen the park double in size and the number of attractions increasing to 70 (see "Ocean Park Redevelopment" below). The park remained open as normal during the redevelopment period.

During December 2010 and January 2011 two penguins were born at the park, the first to be bred in captivity in Hong Kong and will joined the park's other 51 penguins on public display when the new Polar Adventure opened in July 2012.

A major new zone Aqua City opened on 26th January 2011 and the park also introduced its nightly "Symbio" fire, water and music spectacular at The Lagoon within Aqua City.

Themed zone, The Rainforest, featuring over 1000 mammals, fish, birds and insects of 70 species and a river raft ride, opened on 13th June 2011.

In August 2011, one of the park's dolphins, 27-year old Angel, became the first dolphin in the world to give birth by artificial insemination conducted in water. Two other dolphins have also been born through artificial insemination out of water at the park, which pioneered the procedure.

In December 2011 Thrill Mountain, with six rides and eight game booths opened in the area adjacent to the Summit Station of Ocean Express funicular railway bringing the total number of rides to 27.

In January 2012, the park celebrated its 35th anniversary and announced a new attraction "Old Hong Kong", which has since opened in March 2012. The 35,500 sq metre attraction features a typical 1950's to 1970's Hong Kong street with tong lau (old tenement buildings), vintage tram, rickshaws, clock tower and colonial police post and includes dai pai dong selling street food, and a Kee Wah Bakery.

On 28th June 2012 the SkyStar helium ballon ride at the park's SkyFair attraction was taken out of service until further notice following an incident in which 6 people were injured when the ballon deflated. An investigation by the Hong Kong Government's Electrical and Mechanical Services Department established the cause as leaking helium from a rip panel joint in the balloon and Ocean Park has subsequently decided to discontinue its SkyStar attraction. The space will be turned into a venue for events and exhibitions.

Ocean Parks' latest themed area "Polar Adventure" opened on 13th July 2012.

Eight young koalas are being donated to the park by the South Australian state government and are expected to arrive in 2014 after feed has become available from a eucalyptus plantation being established in mainland China. These are the first koalas to be kept and will be housed in a new habitat and serve as important conservation ambassadors.

In December 2012, the first king penguin to be bred at the park was born. This was followed by a gentoo penguin chick, born in January 2013, taking Ocean Park's penguin population to 76.

In April 2013, the park introduced a new "Unique Experience" allowing qualified participants to scuba dive in the Grand Aquarium, with sessions being held for a maximum of six people each Saturday afternoon.

In September 2013, six female hammerhead sharks died within a space of 7 hours as a result of a malfunction of an ozone machine. The 5-year sharks had been among a group of 15 hammerhead sharks acquired by the park from Japan in 2010. 

Ocean Park's latest attraction "Shark Mystique", featuring over 100 sharks, opened on 26th June 2014. Located in the Marine World area of the park at The Summit, the attraction features over 100 sharks and rays in a walk-through aquarium spiralling down three levels enabling visitors to view the fish from a 360-degree perspective. The aquarium is five times the size of the previous shark aquarium.

In July 2014, the park confirmed it is intending to develop a smartphone app to enable visitors to book some rides in advance to avoid long queues. The app will also display current waiting times for rides and enable advance restaurant bookings. The app will be on a much larger scale than an app which was introduced during the 2013 Halloween Fest which allowed visitors to make advance bookings for the Haunted House and some other rides. A free Wi-fi network will also be available throughout the park by mid-2015.

In September 2014 it was announced that a captive bred Chinese sturgeon, which was one of one of 15 donated to Ocean Park in February 2014 by Yangtze River Fish Research Institution, had become the third of the group to die from a bacterial infection. The sturgeon had been quarantined and placed under intensive care since the loss of two sturgeons in April and May 2014.

In March 2015 Ocean Park opened its "Adventures in Australia" exhibit featuring three koalas and other Australian species including red-necked wallabies and laughing kookaburras in a space modelled on the South Australian outback with eucalyptus trees. The exhibit allows a maximum of 100 visitors at a time.

In October 2016, Ocean Park's giant panda, Jia Jia, age 38 and the world's oldest giant panda in captivity, was euthanized having suffered age-related health deterioration.

In early 2020 Ocean Park launched a HK$100 million night show "Gala of Lights" which takes place nightly between 6-30pm and 10pm at the Grand Aquarium and Aqua City Lagoon featuring multimedia projection effects and stage performances themed on Ocean nature and on Hong Kong features including the Victoria Harbour skyline. The attraction is intended to encourage visitors to stay in the park later and dine in its restaurants. Normal day admission tickets include the attraction or Gala of Lights tickets can be bought separately for admission after 6-30pm.

As part of the park's redevelopment programme in "Adventure Land", The Abyss, Raging River and Mine Train permanently closed on 1st September 2021.

Ocean Park's "WATER WORLD OCEAN PARK HONG KONG" opened on 21st September 2021. See separate section towards bottom of page for details of WATER WORLD

In July 2022 it was announced that An An, the world's oldest male giant panda in captivity, age 35, which had been donated to Ocean Park as a gift from the mainland government in 1999 and born in Sichuan Province had been euthanised following a period of deteriorating health.





FUTURE DEVELOPMENT


In early 2020 following a decline in visitor numbers of over 30% in the second half of 2019 owing to government protests and a perception that the park was becoming "outdated" the Hong Kong Government announced a major HK$10.6 billion 7-year revitalisation and expansion plan. The plan will create 7 zones and 20 attractions with some existing attractions to be upgraded and others demolished.

In May 2020 in order to avoid the park going into liquidation following a further deterioration in finances resulting from the coronavirus pandemic the Hong Kong Government agreed a HK$5.4 billion relief fund to allow the park to survive for a further year. In the meantime plans for the long term future of the park are to be reconsidered.

In December 2020 the government announced its "Invigorating Island South" initiative which is intended to transform parts of south Hong Kong Island into a tourism and leisure hub. The revitalisation of Ocean Park and integration with other local attractions is expected to form a major part of the proposals and to that end it is intended that the iconic Jumbo Kingdom floating restaurants in Aberdeen Harbour which closed in March 2020 be donated to Ocean Park and become a heritage and dining attraction although it has been decided to defer this until the redevelopment of Ocean Park has been completed.

The government will make a one-off investment of HK$1.67 billion into the park in 2021 to help it survive and HK$280 billion a year for four years from 2022 to support education and conservation initiatives. Two existing government loan repayments totalling HK$5.4 billion will be deferred until the financial year 2028-29 and interest waived from 1st July 2021. Among the planned developments are a retail, dining and entertainment zone (RDE) of about 42,000 sq m which will incorporate the existing conservation and education facilities such as the Grand Aquarium, Giant Panda Adventure and HKJC Sichuan Treasures and would be freely accessible to the public without having to pay for park entry. Operation of the RDE is to be outsourced to a private developer under a long term concession. The admission gate will be moved back to the cable car station and Ocean Express Station. Some thrill rides will be phased out and replaced by a new adventure-themed zone. Space will also be created for new wellness-themed zones and two new piers have been proposed at Deep Water Bay and adjacent to the park’s new Water World at the Tai Shue Wan area, due to open in mid-2021. However, a plan to redevelop the nearby iconic Jumbo Floating Restaurant into a tourism hub and heritage attraction will be deferred until the redevelopment of Ocean Park has been completed. It is hoped that the park will achieve a financial surplus and become self-financing by 2024 provided visitor numbers return to pre-pandemic levels.

Ocean Park appointed Ivan Wong Chi-fai as chief executive with effect from 1st September 2021. Ivan Wong was previously managing director of UA Cinema Circuit Ltd and was appointed to work closely with the board of directors in leading the transformation of the park.

Paulo Pong Kin-yee, Deputy Chairman of the Board since 2019 was appointed chief executive from 1st July 2022 for a three-year period replacing Ivan Wong Chi-fai. Stephen Wong See-yuen was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Board for the same period.



GETTING THERE

MTR - MTR OCEAN PARK STATION

Ocean Park Station, opened 28th December 2016, is located about 2 minute's walk from the park's entry plaza. The station is served by the MTR South Island Line which opened on the same date and is 6-minute's journey time from Admiralty Station, interchange station for MTR Island Line and Tsuen Wan Line as well as the South Island Line ans about 14 minutes journey time from Tsim Sha Tsui Station. Trains, which are fully automatic and driverless, operate at about 3-minute frequency.

 

Ocean Park Station on the MTR South Island Line is directly connected to the park's entry plaza

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CITYBUS SPECIAL BUS SERVICE 629 FROM CENTRAL FERRY PIERS VIA EXCHANGE SQUARE BUS TERMINUS AND ADMIRALTY WEST BUS TERMINUS TO OCEAN PARK AND WATER WORLD

Service frequency of this route has been reduced and as at December 2023 there is just one daily departure of Citybus Ocean Park Route 629 from Central Ferry Piers at 09-30 Monday to Friday, 10-30 Saturday, Sunday and public holidays via Exchange Square Bus Terminus and Admiralty (West) Bus Station. Buses serve Ocean Park Main Entrance and terminate at Water World entrance. Journey time is approx 45 minutes.There is no return service.

*the bus stop is located outside Central Pier 6 (adjacent to Star Ferry Pier) and is shared with bus service 15 to The Peak.

https://mobile.citybus.com.hk/nwp3/?f=1&ds=629&dsmode=1&l=1

 

There Since December 2023 only one daily departure of bus 629 operates from this bus stop outside Central Pier 6 (Mui Wo & Peng Chau ferry pier), near Star Ferry Pier on Hong Kong Island

Ocean Park bus service 629 outside the park's main entrance

"Ocean Park Express" direct bus service 629 operating frequent service between Admiralty West and Ocean Park has been discontinued from 11th January 2017.

NWFB ROUTE 15R (from Ocean Park only to The Peak - Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 17th November 2018. Owing to low patronage this service no longer operates after 10th March 2019).

New World First Bus (NWFB)  launched recreational route 15R operating between Ocean Park and The`Peak. on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 17th November 2018 but permanently ceased operation from 10th March 2019 owing to low patronage. The service operated at 5pm and 6pm from Ocean Park Main Entrance and travelled via Wong Chuk Hang Road, Nam Fung Road, Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, Stubbs Road and Peak Road to the Peak Galleria Bus Terminus. Adult fare was HK$11.7

OTHER BUSES

Ocean Park is located a short walk from the Aberdeen Tunnel entrance/exit on the Aberdeen side. There are numerous very frequent bus services from early morning until late night from Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and parts of Kowloon and the New Territories which either pass the main entrance to the park (if heading towards Stanley) or about 3 minutes walk from the main entrance (if heading towards Aberdeen). On all services the stop to disembark for Ocean Park is the first stop immediately after the bus exits the Aberdeen Tunnel. Ocean Park is clearly signed from these bus stops. However, on Sundays and public holidays only, routes 48, 107, 170, 171 and 973 make a short diversion and call at Ocean Park Bus Terminus.

FROM CENTRAL, ADMIRALTY AND WAN CHAI

Citybus services from Exchange Square Bus Station via Queensway (outside Admiralty MTR Station) Queens Road East Wan Chai and Aberdeen Tunnel;

6A, 6X, to Stanley
260 to Stanley
70 to Aberdeen
75 to Sham Wan
90 to Ap Lei Chau
97 to Lei Tung Estate
590 to South Horizons
590A to South Horizons

FROM CAUSEWAY BAY

Citybus services from Moreton Terrace Bus Terminus (behind Hong Kong Central Library);

72 to Wah Kwa Estate via Yee Wo Street (Sogo) and Hennessy Road
72A to Sham Wan via Yee Wo Street (Sogo) and Hennessy Road
92 to Ap Lei Chau - circular route via Happy Valley
96 to Lei Tung Estate via Yee Wo Street and Hennessy Road
592 to South Horizons via Morrison Road and Hennessy Road
65 (Sundays only) to Stanley from North Point via Kings Road, Hong Kong Central Library, Hennessy Road and Happy Valley

FROM TSIM SHA TSUI (KOWLOON)

973 Citybus/KMB (jointly operated) service to Stanley from Concordia Plaza, Science Museum Road via Mody Road, Salisbury Road (New World Centre and also near Star Ferry Pier), Canton Road, Jordan Road then via Western Harbour Crossing, Pok Fu Lam and Aberdeen. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays most buses on this route make a short diversion via the Ocean Park Bus Terminus instead of stopping on the main road outside.

FROM SHA TIN (NEW TERRITORIES), CENTRAL KOWLOON AND HUNG HOM

170 Citybus/KMB (jointly operated) service to Wah Fu from Sha Tin MTR Station via Lion Rock Tunnel, Waterloo Road Kowloon Tong, Princess Margaret Road Ho Ma Tin, Hung Hom Station (Cross Harbour Tunnel Plaza), Cross Harbour Tunnel, Causeway Bay, Happy Valley and Aberdeen Tunnel.

FROM NORTH KOWLOON (LAI CHI KOK, CHUENG SHA WAN, PRINCE EDWARD AND MONGKOK)

171 Citybus/KMB (jointly operated) service to South Horizons (Ap Lei Chau) via Cheung Sha Wan, Nathan Road (Prince Edward, Mongkok, Yau Ma Tei, and Gascoigne Road, Jordan), Hung Hom Station (Cross Harbour Tunnel Plaza), Cross Harbour Tunnel and Aberdeen Tunnel. Bus stops at Aberdeen Sports Ground (immediately after Aberdeen Tunnel, 5 min walk from Ocean Park, but on Sundays and public holidays departures from Lai Chi Kok and South Horizons from 1pm to 8pm are diverted via Ocean Park Bus Terminus.

For full timetables and routes see the Citybus route list;

https://mobile.citybus.com.hk/nwp3/?f=0&l=1

GREEN MINIBUS

Green minibus service 40M* operates between Stanley Prison and Ocean Park every 20-30 mins daily from 06-00 to 23-10.
* This service has permanently ceased operation from 21st May 2017

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OPENING HOURS 

Monday to Saturday 10am to 7-30pm or 8pm*
Sundays and Public Holidays 9-30am to 7-30pm or 8pm*

*Closing time varies - check Ocean Park website's calendar for up to date information;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/en/plan-your-visit/monthly-schedule

Extended opening hours operate for certain special events such as Ocean Park's Halloween Bash. Check Ocean Park website for details.


TICKETS

Admission tickets can be purchased at the ticket booths at main park entrance. Advance booking of tickets is not usually necessary.

"Electronic" tickets, valid for one month, can be purchased at all 7-11 convenience store outlets in Hong Kong. These tickets contain a barcode which is scanned at the Ocean Park Main Entrance turnstiles allowing instant entry and eliminating the risk of queuing at Ocean Park's ticket booths.

Tickets may also be purchased from MTR Travel Services Centre at Admiralty MTR Station.

Tickets can be purchased online up to 90 days in advance via the Ocean Park website online ticketing facility. Online tickets can be collected at either park entrance provided they are booked at least one day prior to collection or can be despatched by courier, allowing 5 days for delivery if to a Hong Kong SAR address or 7 days for addresses outside Hong Kong.


ADMISSION PRICES (as at December 2023)

Adult – HK$498

Child (3-11) – HK$249

Child under 3 – free

Senior Citizens - There is a concession of free entry for seniors aged 65 or over but this is restricted to JoyYou Card (HK Residents only), Hong Kong Identity Card or Senior Citizen Free Card Holders only.

 

Escalators leading to Ocean Park's new main entrance which opened in January 2011

WEBSITE - http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/home/ 


PARK ATTRACTIONS

The park is divided into two sections, "Waterfront" (formerly “Lowland”) and Summit (formerly “Headland”) on opposite sides of a hill, Nam Long Shan (Brick Hill). Waterfront and Summit are connected by a 1.8km cable car system and a 1.3km themed funicular railway, Ocean Express.

WATERFRONT

NEW MAIN ENTRANCE. The entrance opened in January 2011, when both the park's adjacent old main entrance and Tai Shue Wan entrance, on the Summit side of the park, closed. The Tai Shue Wan entrance is now only used occasionally for certain special events or for crowd control purposes at peak times such as Chinese New Year.

AQUA CITY is a major new zone which opened in January 2011 as part of the park's major redevelopment and expansion programme. Ocean Square lies immediately inside the new main entrance of the park and features sculptures of sea creatures and fountain. The flagship attraction is The Grand Aquarium which contains over 5000 fish of 400 species and 5.2 million litres of water, double the size of the old aquarium. The three-storey walk-through aquarium includes a Reef Tunnel, swirl tank, bubble tunnel and the world's largest viewing panel, 13-metres wide and 5.5 metres high. Species include rare fish such as Pacific bluefin tuna and the endangered Napoleon fish.

 

Exotic fish in Aqua City's three-storey Grand Aquarium

Neptune's Restaurant allows diners to eat whilst being circled by fish. Aqua City also features The Lagoon which features dancing fountains and Symbio, a nightly 360°water screen show set to music in which two 9m-tall fiery dragons clash on screen.

 

Aqua City Lagoon. The lagoon is the setting for the nightly spectacular fire, pyrotechnic, water and music show "Symbio"

The zone also has over 15,000 square feet of retail space where shops include Aqua City Bakery, Waterfront Gifts (apparels and accessories), Celebrity Store (decorative gifts, hard goods, plush toys and kids’ corner), Ocean’s Charms (jewellery) and Aqua City Crafts (premium gifts), Ocean Park’s very first personal health and beauty product store, Ocean Potions, and Shutters, a photography studio.

HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB SICHUAN TREASURES, located in the renovated former Hong Kong Jockey Club Giant Panda Habitat. In April 2012, two golden monkeys, Le Le (3yrs old) and Hu Hu (2 yrs old), on loan for a three-year period from Chengdu Zoo in Sichuan Province, were put on display. The golden monkeys are considered national treasures in China. They previously occupied an enclosure alongside the elderly Giant Pandas An An, born 1986, died 21st July 2022 as the world's oldest male giant panda in captivity, age 35 and Jia Jia, the park's 38-year old female giant panda, born 1978 and world's oldest giant panda in captivity at the time. The giant pandas were euthanised in July 2022 and October 2016 respectively following age-related deterioration in health. Both pandas were born in mainland China and donated as a gift to Hong Kong by the Chinese Government. No decision has yet been made as to whether a request for further giant pandas will be made. Until April 2009 the two elderly pandas had shared the enclosure with two young pandas, Ying Ying and Le Le, which have since been moved to the Amazing Asian Animals enclosure.

AMAZING ASIAN ANIMALS opened in April 2009 and cost over HK$100 million. The 25,000 sq metre enclosure is covered with the same translucent material used for the "Water Cube" at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and temperature is controlled at between 18C and 25C. The enclosure is home to Ocean Park's two young Pandas Ying Ying and Le Le (both born 2005), four Red Pandas (two males Tai Shan and Cong Cong and two females Rou Rou and Li Zi) on loan from Chengdu Research Base of Panda Breeding, Chinese giant salamanders, Chinese alligators, otters, goldfish, birds and turtles. The enclosure includes a 2000 sq metre "sunlit" space for the pandas featuring fish ponds, a "snow" area and vegetation.

 

Young Giant Panda Le Le has been resident in Ocean Park since 2007 and was re-housed in the Amazing Asian Animals attraction in April 2009

 

Feeding time for Amazing Asian Animals Red Pandas, on loan to Ocean Park from a panda breeding research centre in China. In November 2023 it was announced that the loan agreement has been extended for a further twenty years and the number of Red Pandas on loan will be increased.

There is a live broadcast from the Panda Habitat and more information regarding the Pandas here;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/panda/index.html


AMAZING BIRD THEATRE, a walk through South American themed garden with colourful exotic birds including Macaws, Eagle Owl, Steppes Eagle, Cranes and other exotic birds. "Emperors of the Sky" aerial show takes place here four times daily.

SKYFAIR, with *SkyStar helium balloon ride climbing up to 100 metres into the sky. In this area “SkyFair Celebrations”, a performance of acrobatic skills by a team of “balloonatics” and aviators is performed several times daily. *NOTE - SKYSTAR HELIUM BALLON RIDE IS DISCONTINUED FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT ON 28th JUNE 2012

 

Balloonists, aviators and acrobats perform several times daily at SkyFair

 

Skyfair's ill-fated hot air balloon ride SkyStar (discontinued from 28th June 2012)

OLD HONG KONG, covering an area of 35,500sq ft, opened in March 2012 near the Waterfront cable car station is a nostalgic re-creation of a Hong Kong street scene from the 1950's to 1970's including rickshaws, a cinema decorated with old movie posters, tong lau (old Hong Kong-style tenements), a static replica of Hong Kong tram 120 with rattan seats, an old KMB bus colonial pillar boxes, an old police post, clock tower and Kee Wah Bakery. The street is lined with dai pai dong food stalls offering over 70 types of classic hawker food and performers play the roles of period characters.

KID'S WORLD includes the Whiskers Theatre where a Sea Lion Show and Whiskers and Friends Show are performed several times daily and where kids can join in the fun, Gator Marsh, Whiskers Harbour Playground, Emerald Trail, Goldfish Treasures, kids rides including Toto the Loco and Merry-go-Round and coin-operated remote-control model boats and racing cars.

 

Kid's World has plenty of rides for younger kids including Toto the Loco

WATERFRONT CABLE CAR TERMINUS for the 12 minute cable car journey to the Summit with breathtaking views over Deepwater Bay, Stanley Peninsula, and Lamma Island.

 

Ocean Park's exhilarating cable car system links Waterfront and Summit

OCEAN EXPRESS WATERFRONT STATION
Opened in September 2009, Ocean Express is a 1.3km funicular railway through a tunnel linking Lowland area of the park with the Summit area. The train is designed to resemble a submersible vehicle and the three minute ride simulates a journey through the depths of the ocean. The attraction, which can transport up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, forms part of Ocean Park's redevelopment and expansion programme and provides an alternative method of transportation to the cable car for travelling between the two main areas of the park.

 

Ocean Park's "Ocean Express" funicular railway provides an alternative to the cable car for travelling between The Waterfront and The Summit


SUMMIT

Summit can be reached either by cable car from Waterfront, Ocean Express funicular railway or via the worlds second longest outdoor escalator (covered by a canopy) near the (now disused) Tai Shue Wan entrance, travelling a distance of 225 metres. Summit attractions include;

OCEAN EXPRESS SUMMIT STATION is the arrival/departure point for visitors using the Ocean Express funicular railway to transfer between Waterfront and Summit and is fronted by The Summit Plaza.

 

Ocean Express Summit Station. Panoramic views across the The Summit area of the park and Hong Kong Island's south coast can be enjoyed from the plaza outside the station

SUMMIT CABLE CAR STATION is the arrival point for visitors transferring between Waterfront and Summit by cable car. There are panoramic views across the park and south coast of Hong Kong Island from the terrace outside the station.

MARINE LAND in the area around the Ocean Express Summit Station and Summit Cable Car Terminus includes Sea Jelly Spectacular, a jellyfish exhibit with music, lighting and multimedia special effects, Chinese Sturgeon Aquarium - Yangtze Exploration which opened in June 2010 and features ten Chinese sturgeon aged from 2 to 10 in a simulated Yangtze River environment. Garden of Joy is a picturesque landscaped Japanese garden with streams, bridges, greenery and koi fish. Shark Mystique, opened June 2014, features over 100 sharks and rays in a walk-through aquarium spiralling down three levels enabling visitors to view the fish from a 360-degree perspective.

THE RAINFOREST, opened in June 2011, is a themed zone with over 1000 mammals, fish, birds and insects of over 70 species. These include the world's smallest monkey, the pygmy marmoset which can be as small as 12cm in length, the South American kinkajou which hangs by its tail whilst seeking food, the world's largest toucan, the world's strongest beetles, tamarins and a herd of capybara, a rodent of the guinea pig family, which can grow to 1.34 metres in length. The Rainforest also features a raft ride which courses its way along a river whilst other visitors take aim at the rafts with water guns.

POLAR ADVENTURE, opened July 2012, is Ocean Park's latest themed zone and features northern sea lions, three different species of penguins, Pacific walruses, spotted seals, four one-year old snowy owls and Arctic foxes in two themed areas, South Pole Encounter and North Pole Encounter. The zone also includes a roller coaster ride, Arctic Blast, and Tuxedos Restaurant which has panoramic views of the penguin pool.

OCEAN THEATRE is the venue for "Sea Dreams", the popular spectacular dolphin and sea-lion show where these mammals perform with their trainers three or four times daily. Arrive early to be sure of getting a seat.

Ocean Theatre dolphin and sea-lion show "Sea Dreams"

 

"Sea Dreams" attracts large crowds to Ocean Theatre

OCEAN PARK TOWER situated between Marine Land and Summit Rides is a rotating viewing platform rising 72 metres from which there are panoramic views of the park and coastline.

PACIFIC PIER is a rock-lined pool with about 20 sea-lions and harbor seals surrounded by a boardwalk where visitors can listen to a trainer's talk and join in feeding sessions once or twice daily.

 

Visitors can listen to trainers talks and purchase cups of food to join in feeding sessions at Pacific Pier

SUMMIT RIDES

 

Summit rides

Summit rides include The Abyss turbo drop (will permanently close from 1 September 2021 as part of the park's redevelopment programme) which hoists victims up to a height of 185ft before unleashing a stomach churning freefall drop, The Dragon cliff-edge roller coaster ride, Crazy Swing, The Eagle swinging gondola ride, Crazy Galleon Pirate Ship swing reaching a height of 20 metres, Ferris Wheel and Headland Games which include Ring Toss, Goblet Toss and Hi-Striker.

 

The Abyss, Turbo Drop (permanently closing 1September 2021)

ADVENTURE LAND has more rides including Mine Train, a rollercoaster ride reaching a height of 85 metres (will permanently close from 1 September 2021 as part of the park's redevelopment programme). Space Wheel orbiting vertical wheel gondola ride and Raging River boat ride.

 

Mine Train Ride (will permanently close from 1 September 2021 as part of the park's redevelopment programme)

RAGING RIVER is a log-boat ride through channels, and past waterfalls, rapids and ravines culminating in a vertical plunge at over 58km per hour. (will permanently close from 1 September 2021 as part of the park's redevelopment programme)



Raging River - the final plunge

THRILL MOUNTAIN, opened in December 2011, is the latest new zone to open under Ocean Park's expansion and redevelopment plan. Located next to the Summit Station of Ocean Express funicular railway and occupying an area of over 222,000 sq ft, the zone has six thrill rides, eight booth games and food and drink outlets. Highlight is Hair Raiser, Hong Kong's first floorless roller coaster which hurls riders through multiple inversions reaching 4.0G acceleration and 88km per hour maximum speed. Other rides include Whirly Bird, an aerial swing ride, Rev Booster, Bungee Trampoline, Bumper Blasters and The Flash, a pendulum gondola which rotates through 360 degrees.

In March 2024 Ocean Park opened “CROCO LAND”, home to “Passion” a crocodile found in the Pat Heung area of Hong Kong and cared for by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department before being transferred to Ocean Park in April 2023. Estimated to be four to five years old, the exotic crocodile is growing gradually, measuring 1.97m in length and weighing 38.5kg at the time of opening of “Croco Land”.  DNA test results have confirmed that Passion is a hybrid Siamese-Cuban crocodile.

The park’s mascot Whiskers, a friendly sea-lion and other characters can usually be seen around the park and there are character greeting venues where visitors can meet these characters at specific times.



DAILY SHOW SCHEDULE

Theatre shows take place daily at various times. These include "Emperors of the Sky" in the Amazing Bird Theatre, "SkyFair Celebrations" at SkyFair, "Sea Lion Fun Time Show" at Whiskers Theatre, "Sea Dreams" at Ocean Theatre and the spectacular "Symbio" at conclusion of each day at Aqua City Lagoon. Additionally, there are trainer's talks and "Animal Fun Talks", feeding sessions and Meet and Greet sessions with Ocean Park's mascot and other characters. Visitors should obtain a current show schedule leaflet on arrival at the park. The daily show schedule can also be viewed online at;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/plan-your-visit/calendar/

Meet and Greet sessions with Ocean Park's characters provide fun photo opportunities for visitors


GET CLOSER TO THE ANIMALS - UNIQUE "BEHIND THE SCENES" AND ANIMAL ENCOUNTER ACTIVITIES

GRAND AQUARIUM SCUBA DIVING - Ocean Park's latest "Unique Experience", introduced April 2013. Participants can dive in the 5.2 million litre aquarium which contains over 5,000 fish of 450 species including hammerhead sharks, manta rays, napoleon wrasse and blue fin tuna. Each three-hour "experience" is limited to a maximum of six people, divided into two groups of three. The programme includes a safety briefing, 30-minute dive and behind-the-scenes tour allowing participants to see the park's breeding and marine conservation work. The dive follows a pre-designated route in the water, to a maximum depth of 12 metres. Programme operates on Saturdays afternoons only, from 2pm to 5pm. Divers must be 15 years of age or over, hold a recognised diving qualification and complete a health declaration. The cost is HK$2,180 per person (including Ocean Park entry ticket) and five percent of the fee will be donated to the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation. For full details see;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/park-experience/unique/scuba.html

DOLPHIN ENCOUNTER allows visitors an "up close and personal" encounter with the dolphins enabling visitor to meet them close-up, feed them, hug them in the water and includes a souvenir photo and other memorabilia. Dolphin Encounter takes place daily at 12-30pm and also at 9-30am Wednesday to Sunday and lasts 90 minutes. Tickets cost HK$880 for adult or child and are available online, by fax, from Ocean Park main entrance ticket office and Ocean Theatre Image Gallery. Minimum age limit is 8 years, minimum height 1.32 metres. There is limited capacity and tickets are available on a "first-come, first-served" basis;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/park-experience/unique/dolphin.html

AMAZING ASIAN ANIMALS ED-VENTURE allows visitors accompanied by a specialist to meet the giant pandas in their habitat aand learn more about their diet and enrichment toys and visit the Bird House and back of the house facilities to discover how the birds feed, play and breed. Daily from 11am to 12 noon. Max 20 persons. Price HK$90 adult/child. Tickets can be purchased online, by fax from Ocean Park main entrance ticket office and Panda Kingdom Shop. Further details;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/park-experience/unique/behind-scenes-panda.html

GRAND AQUARIUM ED-VENTURE takes visitors back stage to learn about the fish and the special care which enables the Grand Aquarium to come to life including preparation of meals. Daily 3-30pm to 4-30pm. Max 20 persons. Price HK$90 adult/child and tickets can be purchased online, by fax, from Ocean Park main entrance ticket office and Deep Sea Traders. Further details;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/park-experience/unique/behind-scenes-grand.html

RAINFOREST ED-VENTURE, a behind-the-scenes experience allowing visitors to explore the wonders and secrets of the rainforest and the habitats of the animals and insects which live there. Daily 2pm to 3pm. Max 20 persons. Price HK$90 adult/child and tickets can be purchased online, by fax, from Ocean Park main entrance ticket office or Rainforest Gift Shop. Further details;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/park-experience/unique/behind-scenes-rainforest.html

NIGHTTIME IN THE OCEAN'S DEPTHS is an occasional special event which allows participants to explore the mysterious nighttime world of the sea bed with a special camping programme. From 5-30pm to 10am next day, includes dinner in Neptune's Restaurant and breakfast in Panda Cafe. Max 40 persons. Price HK$1380 adult, HK$1062 child 3-11. For dates of operation, further details and application form see;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/park-experience/unique/nighttime-in-opdepths.html

HONORARY PANDA KEEPER PROGRAMME is an all-day experience allowing participants to tour the panda dens, learn to prepare the pandas special meals and how to care for the pandas. There is no physical interaction with the pandas. Price HK$980 adult/child. The programme is subject to strict participation criteria. Full details and booking application;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/park-experience/unique/panda.html

HONORARY POLAR ANIMALS KEEPER PROGRAMME allows participants to help prepare food for penguins & the pinnipeds, and participate in maintaining their homes. Watch the training of walrus, and penguins, share experiences with their animal trainers, and assist in routine observation work. Daily 9-30am to noon. Max 4 people per session. Price HK$980 adult/child. For full details see;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/park-experience/unique/polar-animal-keeper.html


DINING - CAFE'S, RESTAURANTS AND FOOD KIOSKS

There are 7 cafes and restaurants and 17 food kiosks throughout the park:

CAFES AND RESTAURANTS;

AQUA CITY

NEPTUNES RESTAURANT - underwater fine dining restaurant in the Grand Aquarium. 11am to 9pm
AQUA CITY BAKERY - snacks and drinks. 10am to park closing time

MARINE LAND

THE BAYVIEW RESTAURANT - international cuisine with sea views. 11am to 5-30pm
TERRACE CAFE - al fresco international dining. 11am to 5pm

POLAR ADVENTURE

TUXEDOS - international cuisine including low carbon menu. 11am to Summit closing time.

SUMMIT RIDES

CAFE OCEAN - located next to "The Abyss", Hong Kong-style traditional specialities including BBQ pork bun, Hainan chicken and curry-styles from Hong Kong, Thailand and India. 11am to 5pm.

AMAZING ASIAN ANIMALS

PANDA CAFE - Panda-themed cafe with Korean, Taiwanese, Japanese and Sichuan specialities. Has outdoor seating area. 10am to 6pm

TAI SHUE WAN

MIDDLE KINGDOM RESTAURANT - Located near Tai Shue Wan escalators. Full service Chinese restaurant specialising in Cantonese cuisine including dim sum, a la carte menu and set dinner menus. 11am to 9pm


FOOD KIOSKS

There are 17 food kiosks throughout the park selling fast food and drinks. These include MacDonalds, Boardwalk Cafe, Pizza Place, Noodle2, Golden Fried Chicken and Ice Cream Delight.

For full details of cafes, restaurants and food kiosks see;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/park-experience/dining/


WATER WORLD OCEAN PARK

In the Hong Kong Government's 2013/2014 budget it was announced that the government would offer a loan of HK$2.3 billion to Ocean Park to build a new all-weather attraction, Water World. Ocean Park previously had a water world feature with slides and pool located near the current main entrance, included with general admission, but this was a seasonal attraction which permanenlty closed in 1999.

Ground breaking for the project took place in November 2015 with the project originally planned for completion by mid-2017. In November 2015 a cost overrun of HK$650 million was confirmed for which non-governmental funding was arranged making the revised cost of the project HK$2.95 billion. Lengthy construction delays and the Covid-19 pandemic delayed completion and “Water Word Ocean Park Hong Kong” finally opened to the public on 21st September 2021.

The attraction which is located on the Tai Shue Wan side of Ocean Park on Ocean Drive, Wong Chuk Hang Road adjacent to The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel and  covers an area of 55,740 square metres with a 15,000-person capacity (limited to a maximum of 9,000 at any one time). Water World has been built into a series of terraced platforms to blend in with the natural surroundings and has extensive sea views. It features 27 indoor and outdoor attractions in five themed zones;

SPLENDID REEF

ADVENTURE COAST

HIDDEN VILLAGE

TORRENTIAL RIVER

THRILL VALLEY

Attractions include 13 rainbow-coloured giant speed slides, action rivers, speed wave pools, raft rides, tube slides, infinity pool the world's longest lazy river and a hot spring.

Aerial view of Water World

Food and beverage outlets in Water World include Big Wave Snack, Cavern's Kitchen and Horizon Grill, certified by the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong.

The new Water World opens all year round, other than for maintenance closures, and remains open in the evenings during the peak season, with shows and live entertainment.

ADMISSION PRICE - admission is separate to the main Ocean Park admission and Water World adopts a dynamic pricing policy, where prices vary according to season and day of the week. At the time of publishing this article, January 2024, range from HK$280 for an adult winter ticket to HK$388 summer ticket. Concessionary rates apply for children age 3-11, full time Hong Kong students, seniors age 60 and over with Hong Kong JoyYou Card or age 65 and over with Hong Kong ID Card or Hong Kong Senior Citizen Card. Check Water World website for latest ticket prices and offers;

https://waterworld.oceanpark.com.hk/en/

OPENING HOURS - Normally 10am to 5pm winter, 10am to 8pm summer. Water World may close or some specific  attractions may close on certain days for scheduled maintenance. Check Water World website for latest information;

https://waterworld.oceanpark.com.hk/en/plan-your-visit/park-hours-schedule/

GETTING THERE FROM OCEAN PARK MAIN ENTRANCE – Water World is not directly accessible from within Ocean Park. A free shuttle bus service operates at 10-minute frequency from 7am until 2 hours after park closing time from outside Ocean Park main entrance to the Water World entrance and Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel at Tai Shue Wan with a journey time of about 15 minutes.

Water World/Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel free shuttle bus

CITYBUS ROUTE 629 – Citybus operates one journey a day from Central Star Ferry via Admiralty West Bus Terminus to Ocean Park Main Entrance and Water World Entrance departing at 9-30am on Mondays to Fridays, 10-30am on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays with a journey time of about 45 minutes. No return journey operates except on specific special days as notified on the Citybus website. Also, on specific days only Citybus service 629M operates from Water World to Wong Chuk Hang MTR Station with a 10 min journey time.

https://mobile.citybus.com.hk/nwp3/?f=1&ds=629&dsmode=1&l=1

 




OCEAN PARK 6-YEAR REDEVELOPMENT 2006-2012

Ground breaking for the 6 year HK$5.5 billion redevelopment programme mentioned above commenced in 2006 and was carried out in eight phases, being completed in July 2012. AMAZING ASIAN ANIMALS opened in April 2009 and OCEAN EXPRESS, a 1.3km funicular train connecting the WATERFRONT (formerly "Lowland") and SUMMIT (formerly "Headland") opened in September 2009. The rail system is capable of transporting 5,000 passengers per hour in each direction on the 3 minute journey. Featuring a Swiss-manufactured train resembling a 19th-century explorers submarine the train journey simulates an undersea adventure. The rail system in addition to being an attraction provides an alternative method of travel between the two main areas of the park in the event of the cable car system being disrupted by adverse weather. In June 2010 a Yangtze River themed attraction CHINESE STURGEON AQUARIUM - YANGTZE EXPLORATION opened featuring ten Chinese sturgeons in a simulated Yangtze River habitat. The Waterfront area contains three themed zones, AQUA CITY, AMAZING ASIAN ANIMALS and WHISKERS HARBOUR. AQUA CITY and its flagship attraction GRAND AQUARIUM opened on 27th January 2011 and includes The Lagoon, where the nightly Symbio fire and water show takes place and an underwater restaurant, NEPTUNE's serving high-quality Japanese seafood. The Summit will contain MARINE WORLD, THE RAIN FOREST (opened June 2011), THRILL MOUNTAIN (officially opened 8th December 2011) with six thrill rides and eight game booths. POLAR ADVENTURE, the final new themed zone opened on 13th July 2012. There are also be night shows and attractions and park opening hours have been extended.

In January 2012, the park celebrated its 35th anniversary and announced a new attraction "OLD HONG KONG", which opened to the public in March 2012. The 35,500 sq metre attraction features a typical 1950's to 1970's Hong Kong street with tong lau (old tenement buildings), vintage trams, rickshaw, clock tower and colonial police post and will include a dai pai dong selling food, and a Kee Wah Bakery.

Ocean Park has announced plans for further development including hotels and a new water park - see “FUTURE DEVELOPMENT” above.

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