Photo provided to Hangzhoufeel
Experiencer
By Peter Charles Waddell
The Ocean Park in Hangzhou must be one of the best that I have seen.
The first time I was there, I was so surprised to see how big the area was inside, even with a huge enclosure for some arctic wolves. There are a whole bunch of separate buildings that house the indoor exhibits. In all the time I have been there, I have never been able to see all the animals on the same day. It has taken me more than a few visits to get around the park.
It is best to visit the park during a weekday, as on the weekend everybody seems to go there, and the shows are quite crowded. Walking between the buildings is okay as the distances are not that great. Just plan a roundabout route and take an umbrella with you on rainy days. There is a car that will take you from the entrance to the top of the park if you don’t want to walk. However, it is a little difficult to fit a pushchair or a big bag into the car, so plan to walk if you have your child in a stroller or a bigger-than-normal camera bag.
The buildings and the surrounding walkway areas are great. A huge mermaid statue dominates the entrance area, and from there, each building is cladded differently.
I managed to get to four of the different shows in a day, but I am sure that if you plan to stay longer than I do, you will be able to see even more. My personal favourites are the beluga whales, dolphins, and the walrus. The walrus is just so cute. It is definitely one animal with a lot of character.
The seals are a must to visit, and then there are the jellyfish. The children are amazed at the way they just float around and around. The display is situated near the exit so that you can stroll through and calm down after the excitement of the park. All different kinds and colours are in a mirrored room. After that, it is a short step to the curio shop for that memorable beluga whale or penguin fluffy toy.
A visit to this Ocean Park is really worth it.