Guangzhou Ocean World is located inside Guangzhou Zoo, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, at No. 120 Xianlie Middle Road, Yuexiu District. It is an ocean‑themed exhibition hall integrating marine creature display, science‑popularity education and performance‑entertainment. As a National Science Popularization Education Base, it serves as a special ocean‑themed sightseeing zone affiliated to Guangzhou Zoo. After the upgrading and renovation in 2024, the exhibition hall covers a land area of about 16,000 square meters with a total construction area of around 20,000 square meters. It is divided into four major themed zones: Rainforest Exploration, Fantasy Realm, Elf Bay and Future Ocean. More than 300 species, totalling approximately 10,000 marine and aquatic animals are on display. Featuring an underwater tunnel, dolphin and beluga whale exhibitions as well as marine animal shows, it is an important venue for marine‑science study tours in Guangzhou. Visitors need to enter Guangzhou Zoo first before arriving at the aquarium premises.
History and Culture
Guangzhou Ocean World officially opened to the public in 1998. It is one of the early‑built indoor urban aquariums in South China. Its opening filled the gap of large‑scale special‑theme marine‑creature exhibition halls in local Guangzhou. For years it has carried out marine‑science education for citizens, especially teenagers, and has successively obtained titles such as National Science Popularization Education Base and Guangdong Marine Science Popularization Education Base.
During the operation of the old venue, types of creatures in display tanks were continuously updated, exhibition environments were optimised, and activities including science‑popularity classes and study‑tour practices were launched. After years of closure for upgrading and renovation, the aquarium reopened in June 2024. It has reconstructed four themed exhibition zones, updated venue hardware and exhibition content. Relying on the resources of Guangzhou Zoo, it remains an important science‑popularity cultural‑tourism site in Guangzhou.
Main Attractions
Turtle Home
Turtle Home sits in the Rainforest Exploration zone. It features large water pools and underwater viewing windows, mainly displaying green sea turtles. Visitors may watch turtles swimming and resting through glass panels. Supporting science‑popularity signs introduce knowledge about turtle‑species conservation. Turtle‑feeding interaction with feed sold on‑site is available during certain periods.
Harbor Pier
Harbor Pier belongs to the Fantasy Realm zone. It is a semi‑open‑air habitat and display area for sea lions and seals with viewing stands for visitors. Amusing interactive sea‑lion shows are staged here. Tourists can observe sea lions and seals playing in daily life at close range. Rest and catering facilities are provided nearby.
Elf Bay
Elf Bay is a semi‑open‑air performance venue for dolphin exhibitions and shows, serving as the major habitat and performance ground for dolphins. It is equipped with large‑scale audience seating for the themed Dolphin Romance show. It is the most‑popular performance spot inside the aquarium. Shows follow fixed schedules and visitors should attend according to schedules of the day.
Shark Laboratory
Shark Laboratory is located in the indoor Future Ocean zone. Large water tanks exhibit multiple shark species including sand tiger sharks, blacktip sharks, whitetip sharks and nurse sharks. Visitors watch sharks cruising through viewing glass. Supporting science‑popularity boards illustrate shark‑survival status and marine‑protection knowledge.
Beluga Whale Romance
Beluga Whale Romance features giant floor‑to‑ceiling viewing glass for beluga‑whale display. Visitors can watch belugas swimming and underwater interactive demonstrations. Soft lighting makes this zone a popular photo‑taking spot within the aquarium.
Jellyfish Fantasy
Jellyfish Fantasy is a featured zone in Future Ocean. Multiple independent tanks raise various jellyfish species. Lighting effects create immersive viewing experiences. Descriptive science‑popularity plaques explain biological characteristics of jellyfish.
Underwater Tunnel
The Underwater Tunnel adopts an arched acrylic panoramic viewing design. Visitors walk along escalators through the tunnel, surrounded by reef‑dwelling fish and large marine fish schools. Regular underwater Mermaid Fairy‑Tale performances are held in this area.
Fun Touch Pool
The Fun Touch Pool consists of shallow display pools holding docile small marine creatures. Under on‑site staff guidance visitors may gently touch marine animals, focusing on parent‑child science‑popular interactive experiences.
Tour Route
Guangzhou Zoo Entrance → Guangzhou Ocean World Ticket‑check Entrance → Rainforest Exploration (Turtle Home) → Fantasy Realm (Harbor Pier) → Elf Bay → Future Ocean (Shark Laboratory → Beluga Whale Romance → Jellyfish Fantasy → Underwater Tunnel → Fun Touch Pool) → Exit
Tour Suggestions
- Scheduled performances take place at Elf Bay, Harbor Pier and Blue New City. Check performance timetables upon entry and arrange your tour order so as not to miss shows.
- Seats for popular shows are available on a first‑come‑first‑served basis. Arrive 15‑20 minutes before show time.
- Combine your aquarium visit with Guangzhou Zoo sightseeing. Reserve half‑day to full‑day visiting time in total.
- Large visitor volumes occur on weekends and legal holidays. Travel on workdays to avoid crowds.
- The venue suits parent‑child science‑popular tours. Read exhibit plaques to learn marine‑biology knowledge.
- Indoor zones of Future Ocean are temperature‑controlled. Sun exposure is strong in outdoor sections, so sun‑protection measures are recommended.
Precautions
- Tickets for Guangzhou Ocean World and Guangzhou Zoo are sold separately. You must buy zoo admission first before validating your aquarium ticket.
- Do not tap or knock display‑tank glass. Unauthorised feeding of any marine animals inside is forbidden. Only officially‑sold feed may be used for turtle‑feeding.
- Floors in some indoor exhibition areas may become slippery when wet. Mind your steps.
- Certain exhibition zones or performances may be temporarily adjusted or cancelled for animal‑care or equipment‑maintenance purposes. Follow on‑site announcements.
- Drinking water is permitted inside. Outside food shall not be used for animal feeding.
- Obey staff instructions at the touch pool. Do not squeeze or grasp pool creatures forcefully.
Transportation
- Metro: Take Metro Line 5 to Zoo Station. Walk to the main entrance of Guangzhou Zoo and proceed to the aquarium inside the zoo compound.
- Bus: Take buses to Zoo South Gate Stop or Zoo Terminal, then enter Guangzhou Zoo.
- Self‑driving: Navigate to Guangzhou Zoo Car Park. On‑site parking spaces are limited and often full on holidays. Public transport is preferred.
Opening Hours
Guangzhou Ocean World follows the operating hours of Guangzhou Zoo. Regular opening hours are 09:30‑17:00, with last admission at 16:00. Opening hours may be adjusted for legal holidays according to passenger flow. Temporary closure can happen for equipment maintenance. Please check official announcements before your trip. Exact times for animal shows are subject to on‑site notices of the day.
Tickets
Ticket prices start from 90 RMB per person. Search for the WeChat service account "广州海洋馆" for latest updates.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.