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
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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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.

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

What travelers say (3 reviews)

AquaFan·TripAdvisor·4/5

World's longest underwater tunnel (155m). Great for kids on a rainy day. Allow 2 hours.

2026-04-05

海洋迷·Ctrip·4/5

上海海洋水族馆位置好，紧邻东方明珠。一日游中插入 2 小时正合适。

2026-03-12

Sarah W.·Google Maps·4/5

Smaller than Beijing's but well-curated. The deep-sea section is the highlight. ¥160 entry.

2026-02-20

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.