Is the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium worth visiting?

Yes, especially with kids or on a rainy day. The headline draw is one of the world's longest underwater viewing tunnels at 155 meters, where sharks and rays glide overhead on a moving walkway. The Yangtze freshwater zone with Chinese alligators and giant salamanders is a genuinely unusual highlight you won't see at most aquariums abroad.

How do I get to the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium?

It sits at the foot of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Lujiazui, Pudong. Take Metro Line 2 to Lujiazui station and follow signs; it's a short signed walk. The location makes it easy to combine with a Pudong skyline morning. Credit cards are accepted, and English signage is good throughout the building.

How long do you need at the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium?

Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours. The layout is compact and organized by region, so you can move through China, South America, Australia, Africa, Antarctica and Oceania zones at a steady pace. Book your ticket on Trip.com a day ahead to skip the on-site queue, which matters most on weekends and school holidays.

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, Shanghai: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

Top family attraction next to Oriental Pearl Tower — 28,000 marine animals and a 155m underwater glass tunnel.

At a glance

What it is: Outdoors
Also known as: 上海海洋水族馆 (Shàng Hǎi Hǎi Yáng Shuǐ Zú Guǎn)
Opening hours: 9 AM – 6 PM
Time needed: 1.5-2 hours
Best time to visit: Weekday morning
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Full English menu
Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Entry: Walk-in — no booking · tickets & prices →
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
Address: 1388 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai · 浦东新区陆家嘴环路1388号

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Shanghai Ocean Aquarium map & getting there

Map of Shanghai Ocean Aquarium (上海海洋水族馆) in Shanghai — nearby streets and metro stations

Amap (in China)Open in Google Maps Apple Maps Interactive Shanghai map →

Taxi / DiDi? Show the driver: 浦东新区陆家嘴环路1388号 · 1388 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium sits right at the foot of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Lujiazui, making it an easy add to a Pudong skyline morning. The headline feature is one of the world’s longest underwater viewing tunnels (155 meters), where sharks, rays, and groupers glide overhead on a moving walkway. Other zones are organized by geography — China, South America, Australia, Africa, Antarctica, and Oceania — with a strong Yangtze freshwater section featuring Chinese alligators and giant salamanders. It’s compact enough for 1.5–2 hours, great for kids and rainy days. English signage is good throughout. Book Trip.com tickets a day ahead to skip the on-site queue.

Highlights

Underwater Tunnel (155m)World’s longest; walkway moves, sharks and rays overhead
Yangtze Freshwater ZoneSee Chinese alligators and giant salamanders
Geographic ZonesChina, South America, Australia, Africa, Antarctica, Oceania
Family & Rainy DayCompact 1.5–2 hr visit; great for kids
Skip-the-Line BookingBook Trip.com tickets a day ahead

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

Go right at the 9am opening on a weekday; school groups and tour buses pack the tunnel by late morning.
Stand still and let the moving walkway carry you through the shark tunnel, then step off and walk back for unhurried photos.
The Yangtze freshwater zone with alligators and giant salamanders is quieter than the reef tanks and easy to skip in a rush.
Jellyfish displays photograph best without flash; the blue backlighting does the work for you.
Pair it with the Oriental Pearl Tower next door rather than crossing the river, since both share the Lujiazui exit.
Buy tickets online the day before; the on-site window builds a slow queue right when you want to be inside.

Photos

Bright clownfish among colorful coral in a vivid underwater aquarium scene.

A woman in a hat watches jellyfish illuminated by blue light in an aquarium.

School of fish swimming gracefully in a large aquarium, showcasing aquatic life.

A colorful coral reef aquarium showcasing diverse marine life and vibrant corals.

An enchanting view of colorful fish swimming in an aquarium, showcasing marine beauty.

A captivating view of zebra shark and stingrays swimming gracefully in a large aquarium.

Show all 14 photos

Colorful coral reef with diverse marine life in an aquarium setting.

A couple holding hands while observing fish through an aquarium window, experiencing aquatic life together.

Colorful underwater scene in an aquarium, featuring a variety of fish and sea creatures.

A shark gracefully swims in the tunnel of Antalya Aquarium, captured through clear glass.

Captivating jellyfish swimming in an aquarium, showcasing their ethereal beauty.

A person viewing a large aquarium tank with diverse marine life swimming inside.

A serene underwater photo of a stingray swimming in a vibrant aquarium setting.

Royal knifefish (Chitala blanci) in Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Watch creators visit Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Each clip is timestamped to the moment the creator arrives at this stop.

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Shanghai Ocean Aquarium with underwater tunnels

Videos

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Frequently asked questions about Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Is the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium worth visiting?: Yes, especially with kids or on a rainy day. The headline draw is one of the world’s longest underwater viewing tunnels at 155 meters, where sharks and rays glide overhead on a moving walkway. The Yangtze freshwater zone with Chinese alligators and giant salamanders is a genuinely unusual highlight you won’t see at most aquariums abroad.
How do I get to the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium?: It sits at the foot of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Lujiazui, Pudong. Take Metro Line 2 to Lujiazui station and follow signs; it’s a short signed walk. The location makes it easy to combine with a Pudong skyline morning. Credit cards are accepted, and English signage is good throughout the building.
How long do you need at the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium?: Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours. The layout is compact and organized by region, so you can move through China, South America, Australia, Africa, Antarctica and Oceania zones at a steady pace. Book your ticket on Trip.com a day ahead to skip the on-site queue, which matters most on weekends and school holidays.