Grandview Polar Ocean World is located on the second and third floors of the west zone of Grandview Mall, No.228 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. It is situated inside Grandview Mall, a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The aquarium itself has been awarded official qualifications including the National Popular Science Education Base, Guangdong Provincial Popular Science Education Base and Guangzhou Municipal Science Popularization Base. Meanwhile, it is the world’s first and largest indoor overhead polar oceanarium. The project was funded by Grandview Group with a total investment of 680 million RMB, among which the expenditure on introducing polar and marine organisms exceeded 80 million RMB. The total floor area of the venue covers 58,000 square meters, while the actual biological exhibition area reaches 30,000 square meters, accounting for one-sixth of the overall building volume of Grandview Mall. A complete constant temperature and humidity system is equipped inside the building, and the exhibition hall is constructed with 12,000 tons of water suspended above the shopping mall. The maximum instantaneous daily reception capacity is 6,218 visitors. Designed jointly by multiple international professional institutions including Japanese master of marine architecture Yukikazu Yasuda, Australian PTA Design Team and the visual production team of the Beijing Olympic Games, the venue is divided into 10 core themed exhibition zones and 22 sub exhibition areas in total. It collects more than 500 species of marine and polar organisms with over 30,000 living individuals. More than ten regular free underwater performances are launched all year round, matched with diversified experience programs such as popular science classes, overnight stays under the sea and underwater themed shows. Serving as an ocean cultural tourism complex integrating organism viewing, performances, research-based popular science and immersive entertainment in the core urban business district, it receives an average of about 5,000 visitors on working days, and the peak daily passenger flow can hit 15,000 during holidays and summer vacations.
History and Culture
In 2014, Grandview Group put forward the idea of building a large-scale polar oceanarium inside a commercial shopping mall. Relying on the mature geographical advantages of the business district of Grandview Mall, the group initiated project approval, site survey and overall scheme design, officially kicking off the preparation and construction work of the venue. The whole construction period took one year to finish the construction and commissioning of civil engineering, water systems, exhibition tanks and other hardware facilities. The aquarium entered the trial operation stage on January 16, 2016, and was officially open to the public on January 28 of the same year. At the initial opening stage, rare polar and marine creatures such as beluga whales, polar bears, sand tiger sharks, walruses and penguins were introduced, filling the market gap of large indoor polar ocean venues in downtown Guangzhou. More than one year after opening, the total number of visitors exceeded 1 million, rapidly evolving into an iconic cultural tourism check-in spot in the Tianhe Road business district of Guangzhou.
The venue has continuously updated its content and applied for honorary titles during operation. With regular marine science lectures, research practice courses and marine conservation public welfare activities, it was rated as the Guangdong Provincial Popular Science Education Base in 2021 and officially listed in the directory of National Popular Science Education Bases in 2022. It opens research channels to primary and secondary schools and social organizations all year long, undertaking the public function of popularizing marine biological knowledge in South China. In addition, the venue keeps upgrading its performance content. Professional underwater performance teams have been introduced successively to stage mermaid shows, beluga whale interaction shows, underwater ballets and other performances. Featured activities including Chinese-style underwater galas and themed parades are launched regularly for festivals. Taking advantage of the all-round commercial supporting facilities of the shopping mall, an all-day entertainment mode covering daytime sightseeing and nighttime performances has been formed. For years, the venue has maintained linkage with commercial resources in the business district, building a mature operation mode with mutual benefits between commercial consumption and cultural tourism, and becoming a benchmark case for large-scale oceanariums built inside domestic commercial complexes. Furthermore, the venue has actively issued initiatives on biodiversity conservation to standardize the introduction, breeding and reproduction procedures of all polar marine organisms. Equipped with professional animal training teams and veterinary systems, it balances cultural tourism experience with wildlife protection and spreads public cultural concepts of marine ecological protection.
Main Attractions
Source of Life (270° Panoramic Sky Screen)
Source of Life is the first themed exhibition area upon visitors’ entry. Its core landscape is a 270-degree annular panoramic sky screen. A giant LED screen builds an immersive cosmic light and shadow space that displays the whole process of cosmic evolution and the birth of the Earth’s ocean through dynamic images. Surrounding sound effects bring visitors an immersive experience of traveling through time and space. A mirrored corridor is set inside the exhibition area to amplify visual effects via mirror reflection. This area acts as an introductory science popularization section for the whole tour, telling visitors basic background knowledge about the formation of oceans. It is the first check-in spot after entering the venue with circularly played light and shadow videos available for viewing without waiting for fixed sessions.
Rainforest Lake
Rainforest Lake replicates the freshwater ecological environment of the Amazon Rainforest with simulated jungle scenery, stream landscapes and mangrove ecological layouts. It exhibits freshwater species including arapaimas, small-clawed otters, freshwater turtles, electric eels and various tropical amphibians and reptiles. Small wooden viewing bridges and independent animal feeding spots are arranged in this zone with scheduled aquatic animal feeding shows every day. A shallow touch pool is divided within the area, where visitors can touch gentle aquatic creatures such as starfish and sea cucumbers under staff guidance. Matching science boards explain the living habits of freshwater organisms, combining sightseeing with simple interactive experiences and making it one of the core interactive zones for family trips.
Jellyfish Secret Realm
Jellyfish Secret Realm features a 20-meter long colorful jellyfish corridor lined with multiple acrylic jellyfish tanks on both sides and the top. It raises more than ten ornamental jellyfish species including moon jellyfish, Pacific sea nettle jellyfish and rocket jellyfish. Mirror structures inside the corridor extend the visual space, while gradient colored lights create fantastic visual effects as jellyfish swim. A quiet viewing area with soft background music is provided here, serving as a classic photography spot in the entire venue. Slow-motion shots of swimming jellyfish can produce high-quality photos. Meanwhile, display boards mark the living habits and toxicity knowledge of each jellyfish species to achieve both ornamental and popular science values.
Colorful Ocean & 360° Underwater Tunnel
Colorful Ocean consists of multiple independent seawater display tanks breeding neritic marine organisms such as lemon sharks, spider crabs, various coral fish and stingrays. A full-length 360-degree ultra-wide annular underwater tunnel is built in the middle of the exhibition area with full-view acrylic materials. Schools of fish, turtles and stingrays swim over visitors’ heads and around their bodies, wrapping visitors in an all-round underwater landscape. Divers conduct underwater feeding performances here every day for visitors to watch fish gathering for food. The tunnel has a proper length for comfortable sightseeing and ranks as a must-see classic underwater attraction for tourists.
Marine Encyclopedia
Centered on displaying marine humanities and marine scientific research knowledge, Marine Encyclopedia exhibits models of ancient sailing vessels, modern warships and a simulation model of the Jiaolong Manned Submersible, alongside uniquely shaped marine creatures such as seahorses, eels and sand eels. Supported by physical exhibits and illustrated science introductions, this area explains the history of human navigation, the development of deep-sea exploration technology and survival characteristics of peculiar marine life. Focusing on knowledge-oriented sightseeing, it is ideal for students’ research study. The exhibition layout is flat with rest areas available for visitors to pause and browse popular science content.
Beluga Love (Beluga Concert Hall)
The Beluga Love exhibition area is a closed large water tank venue keeping several live beluga whales with stepped viewing stands known as the Beluga Concert Hall. The Beluga Love interactive show is staged at fixed hours daily, where trainers cooperate with beluga whales to perform tricks including ring blowing, underwater formation swimming and eye contact interactions. A beluga whale knowledge quiz session is held after each show with small gifts for participating visitors. The water environment strictly simulates the original low-temperature sea habitat of beluga whales with constant water temperature control. Layered viewing stands allow visitors on the second floor to overlook the entire beluga whale pool for a comprehensive and wide viewing angle.
Polar Tribe
Supported by an artificial snowmaking system, Polar Tribe creates authentic icy and snowy scenes restoring the original low-temperature polar ecosystem. The area separately raises three types of polar animals: Gentoo penguins, arctic foxes and arctic wolves, with independent land activity zones and water activity zones for penguins to walk on ice and swim in water. Real-time monitoring of ambient temperature and air humidity matches the survival conditions of polar creatures, while heat insulation treatment is applied on glass viewing windows for visitors to observe daily activities of polar animals at close range. Matching science signs interpret polar climate and animal adaptation mechanisms for visitors to intuitively understand the survival features of polar organisms.
Deep Sea Wonder (Guinness World Record Deep Sea Tank)
Deep Sea Wonder is the core landmark attraction of the aquarium, housing a deep-sea real scene tank certified by Guinness World Records. The tank measures 40.809 meters long, 8.3 meters high and 6.7 meters wide with a water volume equivalent to a standard basketball court. Dozens of large deep-sea marine creatures such as sand tiger sharks, blackback stingrays, golden trevally schools and large groupers are raised inside. The Golden Feeding Rush show is performed at 14:00 every day when massive fish schools chase feed to form spectacular flowing landscapes. This tank also serves as the main venue for mermaid performances, and the second-floor viewing platform offers a full panoramic view of underwater shows, making it the most visually striking spot in the whole venue.
Ocean Theater
The Ocean Theater is an enclosed indoor performance venue regularly hosting sea lion interactive shows, funny water acrobatics, underwater ballets and other performances. Its stage integrates land and underwater performance zones, where sea lions complete interactive programs such as ball balancing, ring tossing and handshaking accompanied by live comic performances to liven up the atmosphere. Fixed seats are arranged inside the theater, and all performances are included in the general admission ticket with no extra fees required. Visitors need to enter the venue in advance according to the performance schedule to reserve good seats. The sealed and warm theater is an ideal resting spot for visitors to watch shows during the tour.
Tour Route
Standard non-backtracking sightseeing route: Scenic Entrance→Source of Life 270° Sky Screen→Rainforest Lake→Jellyfish Secret Realm→Colorful Ocean + 360° Underwater Tunnel→Marine Encyclopedia→Beluga Love Concert Hall→Polar Tribe→Guinness Deep Sea Wonder Tank→Ocean Theater→Scenic Exit
Compact quick check-in route: Entrance Sky Screen→Jellyfish Secret Realm→Underwater Tunnel→Beluga Exhibition Area→Deep Sea Real Scene Tank→Ocean Theater→Exit
Travel Suggestions
- The indoor air conditioning temperature inside the venue is relatively low with a generally cool environment. Visitors are advised to carry a thin outerwear even in hot summer to avoid catching a cold after long hours of sightseeing.
- A fixed timetable is available for all performances. Collect a paper guide map right after admission to check show times, and arrive at performance venues 20 to 30 minutes early for better viewing positions.
- Tickets purchased via official online platforms and group-buying channels are cheaper than tickets bought at on-site windows. Purchase tickets one day before your trip; most tickets support full refunds for unused admission to improve travel flexibility.
- The whole sightseeing trip involves a long walking distance, which generally takes 3 to 4 hours to finish completely. Wear soft and anti-slip flat shoes. Rest benches are placed throughout the venue for segmented visits and breaks.
- Recommended photography spots include the jellyfish corridor, the second-floor platform of the deep sea tank and the underwater tunnel. Light-colored clothes produce better shooting effects against blue underwater backgrounds. Bring a power bank to charge your mobile devices.
- Visitor volume on workdays is far lower than weekends and statutory holidays. For a quieter tour and comfortable animal viewing experience, arrange your visit on weekdays from Monday to Friday.
- Strollers can be rented at the scenic service desk for visitors with infants on a first-come, first-served basis. Barrier-free passages run through the entire venue for smooth access.
Precautions
- Ticket sales and admission check stop at 21:30 every day, and the venue closes at 22:00. Please arrange your entry time properly as no visitors will be admitted after the cutoff time. Visitors already inside can stay and explore until the official closing clearance at 22:00.
- Do not tap acrylic glass walls or shout loudly while watching aquatic animals. Loud noises and impacts may cause stress responses in marine and polar animals, and staff will dissuade visitors from such violations.
- Visitors are only allowed to touch aquatic creatures in the designated touch pool of Rainforest Lake. Touching tank contents or feeding self-brought food in other exhibition tanks is prohibited, as private feeding may harm animal health. Bringing external bait to feed animals is banned across the whole venue.
- Free drinking water is available at water dispensers inside the venue. Sealed bottled water and odorless individually packaged snacks are permitted, while boxed meals, instant noodles and strongly scented food are forbidden inside the venue.
- Mobile phones and cameras are allowed for shooting underwater performances and animal landscapes, yet flash photography close to water bodies and animals is strictly forbidden. Strong flash light will irritate animal vision and disturb their normal inhabitation.
- Visitors suffering from claustrophobia, low-temperature sensitivity or asthma shall reasonably control sightseeing duration according to personal physical conditions since partial exhibition areas are semi-enclosed spaces.
- Children under 1 meter in height get free admission but must be accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket throughout the visit. One adult can only bring one free child per entry.
- Catering products sold inside the venue are relatively pricey. Visitors needing formal meals may temporarily leave the oceanarium to dine at restaurants inside Grandview Mall, and re-enter the venue with the admission wristband obtained on the same day.
Transportation
- Metro: Exit from Exit D3 of Sports Center Station on Metro Line 1 and walk straight for about 300 meters to reach the north gate entrance of the oceanarium in Grandview Mall; a 10-minute walk from Tiyu West Road Station on Metro Line 3 to the venue; a 3-minute walk from Exit A of Tianhe South Station on the APM line to the west entrance of the venue; walk 600 meters from Exit A of Shipaiqiao Station on Metro Line 3 to the west gate of Grandview Mall.
- Bus: Alight at Sports Center Bus Stop via Bus B1, B2, B3, B25, 540, 545 to reach the north gate of Grandview Mall directly; take Bus 18, 45, 54, 195, 230, 245 at Sports East Road Bus Stop and walk 2 minutes to the west second gate of the oceanarium.
- Self-driving: Park vehicles in the underground parking lot of Grandview Mall, then follow signs on the second floor of the plaza west zone to the ticket checking entrance of the ocean world.
- Online car-hailing & taxi: Set your destination as the west gate or north gate of Grandview Mall. Walk for two minutes following indoor guidance signs after alighting to get to the scenic ticket entrance.
Opening Hours
Grandview Polar Ocean World operates 365 days a year without closures. The general sightseeing hours are from 10:00 to 22:00 daily, with a fixed cutoff time for ticket sales and admission verification at 21:30. No new visitors will be accepted after 21:30, while admitted visitors can stay until 22:00 for official venue closing and clearance. The venue divides visiting hours into daytime sessions and nighttime sessions. Daytime visiting hours last from 10:00 to 18:00 with daytime admission check ending at 17:30; nighttime entry is available between 18:00 and 21:30 with relatively cheaper ticket prices. However, some minor popular science performances will be reduced during nighttime hours. Visitors can select appropriate ticket types based on their travel schedules. Customer service hours align with admission hours from 10:00 to 21:30 every day.
Tickets
The standard ticket price is 220 RMB per person. Search the official WeChat service account "正佳极地海洋世界" for the latest updates and information.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.