Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
4
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Delightfully spacious and well-lit aquarium filled with a great selection of Asian fish. The highlight is the impressive tunnels where you under the tanks and surrounded by fish.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Pudong
How to get there
- Lujiazui • 4 min walk
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4.0
968 reviews
Excellent
325
Very good
382
Average
172
Poor
50
Terrible
39
Ida D
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Friends
This was the worst aquarium I have ever been to. The animals had very small cages and looked very stressed and it seemed like they were suffering. It was not a nice experience at all and I would not recommend anyone to go there, the ticket price was not worth it. There was a lot of ugly and scary fishes as well.
Written 31 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bearfamily777
Broomall, PA22 contributions
Jun 2012 • Family
I won't rehash what's already been written. Lived in Shanghai for 4 years and have been here a lot with my kids. Always a good time unless we make the rookie mistake of going when it's crowded (national holidays, weekends, etc). Unlike say a zoo or park, when things get crowded, the enjoyment factor goes WAY down (can't even get close to the tanks to see anything without a lot of elbowing and pushing). So you've been warned (you should know better anyways if you live here). But otherwise, clean, well laid out (for the most part, more later) and well stocked with lots of bilingual posters. Not sure I would agree with the review that this ranks up there in the top 6 in the WORLD (crowd control is an issue on busy days), but it's one of the best in China for sure. With that out of the way, some tips:
1. For the price (currently 160/adult, 130/kids above 1meter high= a family of three is over 400rmb for one visit), I'd recommend if you are living here or nearby, to get an annual pass (883 for family of three). You just have to go 3 times in one year to make it worth it. For us (3 young kids) we do that easily. For the younger crowd its a place you don't really get tired of, and for the adults, knowing you have unlimited entry means you can go for just a morning without feeling you have to see the whole thing to "get your money's worth".
2. One drawback to the layout is that once you leave each floor (it has 3 floors) there's no going back. Lots of one-way traffic with some bad choke points, so make sure you see everything and take your time before continuing. I've found that this strategy also helps alleviate a bit of the "China mobs" since many people are just pushing forward and the crowds seem to come in waves. So don't be intimidated by a crowded exhibit (unless you have gone on a holiday), if you give it some time, you should catch a break and be able to enjoy the exhibit without four people breathing down your neck.
3. Because of #2 above (one-way traffic) there isn't really anything to eat until you get to the end (but then can't go back). So make sure to bring snack and drinks for the kids. I am not sure if this is in violation of any "official" rules but you'll see almost everyone munching and drinking and I've never seen anyone scolded- probably don't want to lay down a picnic blanket and take out a pot roast though.
4. Do NOT eat at the cafeteria, I and my friends have had some bad stomach issues. But why would you anyway? Like I wrote, once you get to the cafeteria you're at the end of the aquarium anyways, it's not like you can eat their overpriced and poor quality food, and go back to see some more. So just leave the building and munch at the numerous fine restaurants and eateries in the area (Superbrand mall is just a short walk away with dozens of great options).
Hope this helps!
1. For the price (currently 160/adult, 130/kids above 1meter high= a family of three is over 400rmb for one visit), I'd recommend if you are living here or nearby, to get an annual pass (883 for family of three). You just have to go 3 times in one year to make it worth it. For us (3 young kids) we do that easily. For the younger crowd its a place you don't really get tired of, and for the adults, knowing you have unlimited entry means you can go for just a morning without feeling you have to see the whole thing to "get your money's worth".
2. One drawback to the layout is that once you leave each floor (it has 3 floors) there's no going back. Lots of one-way traffic with some bad choke points, so make sure you see everything and take your time before continuing. I've found that this strategy also helps alleviate a bit of the "China mobs" since many people are just pushing forward and the crowds seem to come in waves. So don't be intimidated by a crowded exhibit (unless you have gone on a holiday), if you give it some time, you should catch a break and be able to enjoy the exhibit without four people breathing down your neck.
3. Because of #2 above (one-way traffic) there isn't really anything to eat until you get to the end (but then can't go back). So make sure to bring snack and drinks for the kids. I am not sure if this is in violation of any "official" rules but you'll see almost everyone munching and drinking and I've never seen anyone scolded- probably don't want to lay down a picnic blanket and take out a pot roast though.
4. Do NOT eat at the cafeteria, I and my friends have had some bad stomach issues. But why would you anyway? Like I wrote, once you get to the cafeteria you're at the end of the aquarium anyways, it's not like you can eat their overpriced and poor quality food, and go back to see some more. So just leave the building and munch at the numerous fine restaurants and eateries in the area (Superbrand mall is just a short walk away with dozens of great options).
Hope this helps!
Written 5 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vigswam
Singapore, Singapore1,042 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
Every city we go to, my kids want to either go to the zoo or visit the local Aquarium. For me, I found it very much similar to Aquariums around other city and not distinct. But, the kids still liked it and thats good enough for me. The best part about this aquarium is the tunnel through the main tanks as the tunnel goes really long and it is a sight indeed.
This place is right next to the Pearl Tower. So, you can time the visit to do both. There is also a hop-on-hop-off bus service center around the vicinity.
This place is right next to the Pearl Tower. So, you can time the visit to do both. There is also a hop-on-hop-off bus service center around the vicinity.
Written 7 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren W
2 contributions
May 2018 • Family
This place is terrible. They should be shut down. The squater toilets stunk up the place. The basement smelled of cigarettes and urine. I couldn’t wait to get out.
The fish were in cramped spaces with no real vegetation. The kids thought the penguins were fake because they didn’t move. They were in a room pained white. The whole thing was disgusting. Save your money and stay away !!!!
Cramped with tons of visitors and yes, as mentioned in previous reviews, people lounging in front of the fish tanks so you can’t get close. Those are 3 hours I’ll never get back.
For those who think this is great, you need to get out more. I’ve seen happier fish in my dentists office.
The fish were in cramped spaces with no real vegetation. The kids thought the penguins were fake because they didn’t move. They were in a room pained white. The whole thing was disgusting. Save your money and stay away !!!!
Cramped with tons of visitors and yes, as mentioned in previous reviews, people lounging in front of the fish tanks so you can’t get close. Those are 3 hours I’ll never get back.
For those who think this is great, you need to get out more. I’ve seen happier fish in my dentists office.
Written 29 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChinAnna
Shanghai, China775 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Just don’t go , spend time elsewhere. I’ve been in China for 7 years, traveled around and this aquarium is the worse experience ever hahaha who would expect.
Price is 160 yuan -so like 23 US dollars.
I won’t comment on the happiness of the fish, since can’t really read its emotions, but most of the tanks are tiny. Tho tanks inside look very clean and well maintained.
What ruined our experience... Chinese people.
Was midweek afternoon and place wasn’t even packed that bad, BUT! I’ve never been touched and pushed so much in my entire life, plus all the screaming.
Picnic in the middle of the hall?? No problem! You suddenly need to drink water?? No problem! Stop where you are at the moment, don’t mind other people going around.
Fence in front of big tank? Who cares? Push your child and yourself under it- don’t let other people see a thing.
China is a wonderful place, full of wonderful people, but they aren’t visiting Shanghai aquarium.
Don’t ruin your impression, go somewhere nice :)
Price is 160 yuan -so like 23 US dollars.
I won’t comment on the happiness of the fish, since can’t really read its emotions, but most of the tanks are tiny. Tho tanks inside look very clean and well maintained.
What ruined our experience... Chinese people.
Was midweek afternoon and place wasn’t even packed that bad, BUT! I’ve never been touched and pushed so much in my entire life, plus all the screaming.
Picnic in the middle of the hall?? No problem! You suddenly need to drink water?? No problem! Stop where you are at the moment, don’t mind other people going around.
Fence in front of big tank? Who cares? Push your child and yourself under it- don’t let other people see a thing.
China is a wonderful place, full of wonderful people, but they aren’t visiting Shanghai aquarium.
Don’t ruin your impression, go somewhere nice :)
Written 21 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yorom
Edmonton, Canada375 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
Upon arrival at the ticket booth we were VERY turned off by the admission price!!!...160RMB per person!!! We sadly turned around.
We visit the local zoo and the local aquarium everywhere we go from Santiago de Chile, to Houston, to Sao Paulo, to Vancouver......but we are not $tupid.
We visit the local zoo and the local aquarium everywhere we go from Santiago de Chile, to Houston, to Sao Paulo, to Vancouver......but we are not $tupid.
Written 25 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Soliranum
Basel, Schweiz28 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
The aquarium itself is quite nice, some of the tanks seemed a but too small but all in all well designed and animal friendly. The visitors however were very inconsiderate, using flash, banging on glass and no staff said anything about it, horrifying! If you go, I suppose try first thing in the morning, any later and the crowds are likely to ruin the experience.
Written 15 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Casey M
24 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Some things were very cool, but other areas had too small tanks, dirty water and even looked like there were a couple of sick or dead fish :( A turtle looked stuck down the side and the saw fish is in a tiny and extremely bare tank :(
Written 15 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aurfei
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia372 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
The overall experience was kind of average, maybe it was because we rushed through the visit. However, there was nothing really outstanding that caught our attention or made us linger longer. Even we did not realize there was one of the world’s longest tunnels until after I read about it while writing this review. The one star attraction was probably the seal… yeah, you said it.
If there were nothing else that you want to see in the city, you might give this a try. Problem is there are plenty of other things for you to see in the city…
If there were nothing else that you want to see in the city, you might give this a try. Problem is there are plenty of other things for you to see in the city…
Written 6 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gingertravelgirl
London, UK24 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
80% of the fish looked completely shell shocked. Full of grown adults knocking (Not even just tapping) on the tanks and no staff intervening despite having signs up everywhere saying not to. Very busy and everyone shouting at the top of their volume. Local visitors appear to have no respect for the place. Bizarre distribution of space - single fish in a huge tank followed by dozens crammed into a small one. Had placed alive ducks in the alligator enclosure as food. Entertainment value clearly placed well above animal welfare.
Written 5 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wie kann ich aus Deutschland Eintrittskarten für das Ocean Aquarium kaufen?
Written 5 June 2018
Hi, How much time does it usually take to cover the whole place?
Please share approximate time so that I can plan accordingly.
Written 16 October 2016
It depends upon your own interest in fishes and other marine animals. But at the least you would need one hour, which can stretch up to five hours.
Written 18 October 2016
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