Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

You’ll find Shanghai Ocean Aquarium right in Shanghai’s busy Lujiazui area, next to the Oriental Pearl Tower. It’s one of the world’s biggest seawater aquariums, with two pyramid-shaped buildings holding nine themed zones. Walk through exhibits from five continents to see over 450 species and 12,000+ aquatic animals—including 10 protected Chinese species (like Yangtze alligators) and endangered global wildlife.

Recommended sightseeing time: ~3 hours Address: 1388 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Reviews

4.7/5
3826 reviews
4/5
As a sightseeing you can go for half a day. Most probably your children like it.
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5/5
Great place, lots of different people. Kids love it.
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5/5
We are often confined to our small world, forgetting that we originally belong to the vast天地 (heaven and earth). "I want to ride the wind, treading across ten thousand miles of mountains"—this is a gentle rebellion against a mundane life. Travel gives us the right to escape the hustle and bustle and return to nature. When we truly embark on a journey, leaving our footprints on mountains and rivers thousands of miles away, that long-lost sense of freedom instantly washes over us. We feel the shape of the wind, touch the veins of the mountains, and listen to the song of the water. In the embrace of nature, we are no longer weary travelers rushing about, but become part of the mountains and rivers, part of the wind. This feeling of being one with all things is an abundance that no material thing can replace. Riding the wind, treading thousands of miles, we finally rediscover our most authentic and happiest selves, and also rediscover our purest love for life.
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4/5
This place is good. Seems like travelling under water.
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5/5
So, what can I say about the aquarium? There are fish there, and it's very captivating. Especially the children's section where you can touch the fish. I highly recommend this aquarium, which is located in the heart of this bustling city. And these beautiful sea creatures will help you escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the amazing underwater world! You simply must see these magnificent jellyfish!
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Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Tickets

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Nearby Hotels

  • Shanghai People's Square Treasury Hotel

    2.43km from Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

  • Dayin International Youth Hostel

    2.62km from Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

  • Youli Hotel (Shanghai People's Square)

    2.52km from Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Guide

About Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Located in Lujiazui next to the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is one of the world’s largest seawater facilities. It spans 20,500 sq meters across two buildings and houses over 12,000 aquatic animals from 450+ species. Plan for ~2–3 hours to cover all exhibits.

Key Facts about Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Address

No. 1388 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong (Adjacent to Oriental Pearl Tower)

Size & Layout

9 themed zones across 3 floors + basement; 155m underwater tunnel

Animal Collection

12,000+ creatures, 450+ species (incl. endangered/rare species)

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Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Opening Hours

🕒 Shanghai Ocean Aquarium opens daily from 9 AM, but closing time shifts:

  • Regular days: Close at 6 PM (last entry 5:30 PM).
  • Summer (Jul 1-Aug 31), Chinese NY, Oct holidays: Close at 9 PM (last entry 8:30 PM). Tip: Avoid weekends—school groups jam the tunnels.
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Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Ticket Prices & Annual Pass

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Ticket Prices & Annual Pass

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium tickets on official site start at ¥160 for adults and ¥110 for kids (1–1.4m tall). Grab a yearly pass if you’re local or plan repeat visits – it pays off fast.

Snag the best Shanghai Ocean Aquarium deals on Trip.com – they’ve got discounted tickets, instant entry and free cancellation, no voucher printing needed.

Ticket Type

Price

Savings on Trip.com

Requirements

Daytime (Adult)

From ¥21.58

¥0.70

Above 1.4m in height and able to tour the aquarium independently

Daytime (Child)

From ¥14.62

¥0.70

Children: 110 RMB (between 1.0m – 1.4m in height and accompanied by an adult).

Annual Pass (Single)

From ¥53.32

¥0.69

Voucher required, valid 1 year

*Children under 1 meter: Free.

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Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Map & Itinerary

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium - Location Map

Where to Find: The aquarium is at 1388 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong, right next to the Oriental Pearl Tower. You can't miss the two pyramid-shaped glass buildings.

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium - Inside Layout Map

The aquarium visit flows from top to bottom (one-way route). Here's what you'll see:

Floor

Main Exhibits

Time Needed

3F (Start)

China Zone (sturgeon, salamander)

South America (piranhas, electric eels)

Australia (archerfish)

45 minutes

2F

Polar Zone (penguins)

Cold Water (seals)

Jellyfish displays

40 minutes

B1 (Main Attraction)

155m underwater tunnel (sharks, rays)

Eagle ray tank

35 minutes

Total Time: Plan 2-3 hours. The exit brings you back to 1F gift shop. The route is one-way—see everything on each floor before moving down

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Map: 3rd Floor

Credit: Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Official Site, 3rd Floor Map

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Map: 2nd Floor

Credit: Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Official Site, 2nd Floor Map

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Map: Basement Level

Credit: Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Official Site, Basement Map

How to Get to Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

How to Get to Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Address: 1388 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong (next to Oriental Pearl Tower)

Method

Route

Cost

Best For

Metro

Line 2 to

Lujiazui Station (Exit 1)

, then walk 200m straight ahead

~¥3-6

Speed + avoiding traffic

Bus

81, 82, 85, 583, 774, 795, 798, 799, 870, 961, 971, 985, 992, 993, 996

~¥2

Direct neighborhood access

Taxi

Direct to "Shanghai Ocean Aquarium" or "1388 Lujiazui Ring Road"

¥20-80+

Groups/luggage

*Times vary based on starting point in Shanghai.

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Get to Shanghai Ocean Aquarium - By Metro (Fastest & Cheapest)

Take Line 2 (Pudong Airport direction) to Lujiazui Station. Use Exit 1 – the aquarium is a 3-minute walk (200m). Look for the pyramid buildings next to the Oriental Pearl Tower. Avoid rush hours (7–9 AM, 5–8 PM) for less crowding

Get to Shanghai Ocean Aquarium - By Bus

15+ bus lines stop near the aquarium. Key routes:

  • From People’s Square: Bus 583 (direct, ~30 min)
  • From Pudong Airport: Bus 993 (connects to metro Line 2)
  • From Hongqiao: Bus 796 to Lujiazui Ring Road
    Tip: Use apps like Amap for real-time bus tracking

Get to Shanghai Ocean Aquarium - By Taxi/Rideshare (Good for Groups)

  • Flag a taxi: Show drivers the Chinese address: 浦东新区陆家嘴环路1388号
  • Didi (Uber equivalent): Enter "Shanghai Ocean Aquarium" in English
    Costs: ¥20–30 from the Bund; ¥150+ from Pudong Airport. Avoid 4–6 PM – Lujiazui traffic is severe

Get to Shanghai Ocean Aquarium - Walking from Nearby Attractions

  • Oriental Pearl Tower: ~5-minute walk (cross the street)
  • Shanghai World Financial Center: 15-minute walk via overhead skybridge
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Things to Do in Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Things to Do in Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium - Interactive Activities

Learn useful knowledge about Ocean Classroom (3rd floor):

    • Touch pools: Handle sea stars and sea cucumbers.
    • Live science demos: Symbiosis displays and reading area.
    • Workshops: Check their official site for schedules.
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Things to Do in Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium - Feeding Experiences

Don’t miss daily feedings! Below, I list some of the feeding hours as of June 2025, check the latest hours in official site.

    • Penguins: 11:00 AM / 4:00 PM (2F Polar Zone)
    • Sharks: 10:50 AM / 3:20 PM (B2 Tunnel)
    • Seals: 10:40 AM / 3:40 PM (2F Cold Water Zone)
Things to Do in Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium - Key Attractions

  1. Underwater Tunnel: 155-meter walk beneath sharks/rays.
  2. Continental Journey: Walk through 9 zones from China to Antarctica.
  3. Jellyfish Displays: Backlit tanks with moon jellies.
  4. Rare Species Spotting: Find camouflaged leafy sea dragons.

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Animals

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Animals

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium shows species from 5 continents. It houses over 12,000 aquatic animals across 450+ species. Some amazing highlights:

  • Exclusive China Zone: lives endangered natives like Chinese sturgeon, Yangtze alligator, and giant salamander.
  • Rare Species: 10 nationally protected animals + 10 internationally endangered species.
  • Breeding Success: 37 species bred onsite, including 6 first-ever successes in China.

Notable Animals by Zone:

Zone

Highlights

Unique Things to Know

China

Chinese sturgeon, giant salamander

Only dedicated China exhibit globally

South America

Electric eels, piranhas

Amazon rainforest habitat

Polar

Emperor penguins, spotted seals

Sub-zero environment

Deep Ocean

Sharks, sawfish, jellyfish tunnels

155m walkthrough tunnel

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FAQs about Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Bethy

Bethy

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Hey there! I’m Bethy (Huang Lan, 黄澜) – a travel enthusiast and content creator for Trip.com. I live as a digital nomad, mostly based in China, and I’ve also lived in awesome places across Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. I love traveling all over the world, sharing useful travel tips and guides for fellow wanderlusters. When I’m not on the road, I’m a huge cat lover and play guitar for fun~

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