The aquarium, which opened in 1999, is an attraction that both the young and the young at heart will enjoy. It’s located in the northwest corner of the Beijing Zoo. This means visitors will be able to see two attractions at the same time.
Seven Pavilions of Sea Life on Display
The aquarium has seven halls, each containing a different kind of sea life. The pavilions are rainforest adventure, tidal encounter, shark wharf, wonders of coral reefs, rare Chinese sturgeon, whales and globefish gulf, and marine mammals. The aquarium also doubles as a research facility. It is almost 100 miles from the nearest ocean.
All kinds of sea life swim in massive tanks, which hold as much as 18,000 tons of artificial salt water. There are big fish and little fish, not to mention massive fish such as whales and sharks. There are beautiful fish glowing with brilliant colors. There are ugly fish. There are fish so transparent one can see their innards at work. There are eels and manta rays, too.
Giant turtles swim in a floor-level pond, coming so close to the edge, visitors can reach out and touch them. Or be splashed as they whirl away to the other side of their pond.
Seals and Dolphins Perform Daily
A highlight of any visit to the Beijing Aquarium is the twice-daily seal and dolphin show. The auditorium holds 3,000 people, but plan to arrive early for a seat up close to the action. Seals clap and catch rubber balls thrown by audience members. The dolphins perform a graceful ballet as they leap in unison through the air. Some play tag with balls suspended from the ceiling. Shows are 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 pm. on weekends.
The Beijing Aquarium is located at the northwest corner of the Beijing Zoo. Visitors must walk through the zoo to reach the aquarium. Though the Beijing Zoo has been extensively remodeled in recent years, it still is not up to world-class standards when it comes to animal living conditions. The zoo, however, is home to giant pandas, which are worth a detour on the way to the aquarium.
In 2008, a combined zoo, aquarium and panda house ticket was 140 yuan or about US $21. The zoo and aquarium are open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. The zoo is located at No. 137, Xizhimenwai Avenue, about a 10-15 minute walk west of the Xizhimen subway stop on Lines 2 and 4.
Cheryl Probst - Cheryl Probst is an award-winning photojournalist who specializes in writing about motorcycles, China and the Pacific Northwest.
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