The Qingdao Underwater World is situated in Qingdao, in China’s Shandong Province, and is the first public aquarium in the country. It integrates several attractions, namely the Freshwater Fish Aquarium, the Specimen Centre and the Qingdao Aquarium. Opened in 1932, it is a popular place for marine ecotourism. The massive aquarium consists of four main parts. The Intertidal Zone features all sorts of algae, arthropods and molluscs. One will also get to see octopi, starfish, sea turtles, sea urchins and crabs. The Underwater Tunnel features a moving platform. The tunnel walls are transparent giving visitors an immersive experience.
The Performance Hall, as the name suggests, is where various performances are held. Some performances are wonderful, others a little weird, but they are all pretty good. Lucky visitors may even get the opportunity to witness an underwater wedding being conducted in a purpose-built chamber. The Qingdao Aquarium is the place where a multitude of colourful sea creatures make their home. In addition to an astonishing variety of fish, one can also see penguins and seals here. The Freshwater Fish Centre contains a number of fish such as Chinese sturgeon and angel fish and even reptiles like salamanders and Yangtze alligators.
In addition to all the great displays, there are classrooms here where educational seminars are conducted. The marine park can get pretty crowded during the peak season which runs from April to October. The best time to visit is between November and March, when the lines are shorter. The famous aquarium is situated near Huiquan Bay, close to Luxun Park. It is a prominent tourist spot and many buses stop by. The aquarium is a ‘must visit’, especially for families with children.
Of course Qingdao is just one stop among many, with China having much more to offer. Tourists planning on exploring the various destinations within the country should consider booking accommodation with a hotel chain like the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels China which offers an excellent series of Greater China hotels. Although there are many good hotels in China sticking to a hotel chain will ensure that one gets the same excellent service throughout, and the entire process of booking accommodation is streamlined and hassle free.
Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.
