Ocean Park, is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, animal theme park and amusement park, situated in Wong Chuk Hang and Nam Long Shan in the Southern District of Hong Kong, China. It is, together with Hong Kong Disneyland, one of the two large theme parks in Hong Kong. Opened in 1977 by the then Governor of Hong Kong Sir Murray MacLehose, Ocean Park has grown to over 80 attractions and rides after the completion of a HK$5.5 billion Master Redevelopment Plan (MRP) begun in 2005. The park has won several awards, including The World's Seventh Most Popular Amusement Park and one of the "50 Most Visited Tourist Attractions in the world" by Forbes. In November 2012, Ocean Park became the first theme park in Asia to win the Applause Award from theInternational Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
Besides being an amusement park, Ocean Park Hong Kong is also committed to merging entertainment and education, while inspiring lifelong learning and conservation advocacy. This is done by operating observatories, laboratories, an education department, and the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (OPCFHK), a fund which advocates, facilitates and participates in the conservation of wildlife and habitats, with an emphasis on Asia, through research and education. In 2011/2012, the Foundation funded 42 conservation projects, covering 27 species in 10 Asian countries for a total of HK$5 million—all record highs.
Ocean Park is divided into two main attraction areas: the Waterfront and the Summit, which can be further divided into eight different attraction zones: Amazing Asian Animals, Aqua City, Whiskers Harbour, Marine World, Polar Adventure, Adventure Land, Thrill Mountain and the Rainforest.
The Summit:
Marine World
Pacific Pier
Mimics the rocky habitat of seals and sea lions on the Northern Californian coast. Allows visitors to walk under the pier to view these marine mammals in the water, complete with simulated waves.
Chinese Sturgeon Aquarium
The 3,500 square-metre freshwater aquarium houses rare Chinese sturgeon along with other native species of the Yangtze River in an educational exhibit on this fragile ecosystem.
Ocean Park Tower
One of the tallest observation towers in Southeast Asia. Rises 200 metres above sea level with a rotating observation deck at the top offering 360° views of the South China Sea, as well as Aberdeen and the islands of Lantau, Lammaand Cheung Chau.
Thrill Mountain
Thrill Mountain was opened in December 2011. It is a carnival-themed area spanning 222,800 square feet, with colourful flashing lights and strong musical rhythms driving the festival atmosphere. It offers five rides, eight booth games, food and beverages as well as specially designed merchandise offerings.
Some of the rides are:
Hair Raiser
Hong Kong's first and only floorless roller coaster. Riders are plunged towards the South China Sea with their legs dangling in the air. The ride travels at up to 4.0G during acceleration and 88 kilometres an hour – the fastest for a roller coaster in Hong Kong.
The Flash
A ride that spins riders up to 22 metres (72 ft) into to air, and rotates at a full 360°, reaching a G-force of 3.9G and a top speed of 60 km/hour.
Whirly Bird
A chair swing ride standing 30 metres (98 ft) tall, allowing passengers to control their vintage plane, lifting and dipping it through a joystick.
Adventure Land
Raging River
A log flume-type water ride that takes passengers through tropical waterfalls, narrow ravines and finishes by shooting them down a slide at almost 60 km/h.
Space Wheel
At 20 metres high, the Space Wheel offers twisting feelings to guests who will rise on a 90° elevation.
Mine Train
A steel "mine train" roller coaster perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking Aberdeen Harbour.
Polar Adventure
Polar Adventure was opened on 13 July 2012, featuring the North Pole Encounter, South Pole Spectacular and Arctic Fox Den, as well as a gift shop and the new Arctic Blast roller coaster. Animals include king penguins, southern rockhopper penguins, gentoo penguins, pacific walruses, spotted seals, Steller sea lions, snowy owls and arctic foxes. The Tuxedos Restaurant offers view over the penguins.
Arctic Blast
A steel "roller coaster" located in the Polar Adventure with various dips and side turns. It is suitable for the whole family.
Arctic Fox Den
Visitors can see arctic foxes here to learn about their behaviour and the impact of humans on their habitat.
North Pole Encounter
Visitors can meet pacific walruses and spotted seals which made their debut in Hong Kong, and other animals from the North Pole including northern sea lions and snowy owls. The animals can also be viewed via an underwater tunnel.
The Waterfront:
Aqua City
Aqua City was opened on 27 January 2011, spanning an area of 200 thousand square feet. It features a world-class Grand Aquarium with the world's largest aquarium dome at 5.5m in diameter and a 13m wide acrylic viewing panel. It also features the world's first and only 360° water screen show Symbio!. Aqua City also offers various dining and shopping options. Neptune's Restaurant is Hong Kong's first and only fine dining destination in an aquarium setting, while the Aqua City Bakery serves Hong Kong-style pastries. The Lakeside Snacks Food Cart is located at the outdoor setting of the Lagoon. Aqua City offers more than 20,000 themed gifts and souvenir items in 15,000 square feet of retail space.
Grand Aquarium
Inside the Grand Aquarium, guests have a chance to get up close with some 5,000 fish in over 400 species, such as the scalloped hammerhead and manta ray. Strolling through the Reef Tunnel and Panoramic Ocean Gallery, guests can see the world's largest viewing dome in an aquarium and a 13-metre giant viewing panel, one of the largest in the world.
Waterfront Plaza
Features a lively carnival setting with a rotating mix of shows, magic and other surprises performed by clowns, acrobats and jugglers. This area also sets the backdrop for many of Ocean Park's festive events.
Sea Life Carousel
Hong Kong's largest carousel in terms of diameter measuring 15.1 metres for the floor and 16 metres for the cap. The ocean-themed carousel features 61 carriers in 13 different designs inspired by endangered sea animals, hosting a maximum of 81 passengers.
Amazing Asian Animals
Goldfish Treasures
A goldfish pavilion featuring the latest and rarest varieties like the Black Oranda and Blue Phoenix Eggfish. Educates visitors on the history and importance of the goldfish in Chinese culture.
Giant Panda Adventure
An purpose-built habitat that houses two rare giant pandas Ying Ying and Le Le, as well as red pandas. It also houses the critically endangered Chinese Giant Salamander.
Ocean Park is planning to design a four-star, 495-room Ocean Hotel. Construction will start by the middle of 2014 at the earliest, with the hotel slated to open in 2017. Ocean Park will spend HK$2.5 billion on the hotel project and another HK$1.6 billion on land. Ocean Park’s second hotel is expected to be completed by the end of 2018 or by early 2019.
Ocean Park will add 30 attractions in its latest round of development projects starting 2014: A 20,000 sq ft shark aquarium will be open in July 2014 and a 7,000 sq ft koala museum in December 2014. Among the new attractions will be a 400,000 sq ft Water World featuring an indoor surfing simulator, 13 slides, wave pools and a Lazy River. The park is also planning to provide free Wifi to visitors in the near future along with a smart phone application to check queue times at different attractions later in the year.
Posted by: Muhammad Hazwan Bin Haji Zulkifli
