FOR those who want a change of view and some fun without the hassle of long-distance travel, our neighboring city Hong Kong offers many choices.

One popular destination is Ocean Park on Hong Kong Island. This marine-themed amusement park offers animal exhibits, educational experiences, and thrilling rides, set in a lush mountain-and-sea environment. Since its opening in 1977, it has attracted millions of visitors from around the world.

Ocean Park

Covering an impressive 91.5 acres, the park is divided into two main areas: The Waterfront and The Summit. The Waterfront features family-friendly attractions, exhibits, and dining options, while The Summit boasts adrenaline-pumping thrill rides and more adventurous activities.

Aqua City: Designed to educate visitors about marine life while providing interactive experiences. At the Grand Aquarium, watching thousands of fish, rays, and a few sharks swim leisurely amid coral reefs offers a calm moment away from the bustling city life.

Pandas: Perhaps the park’s biggest attraction is its six giant pandas, which reside in two different locations.

Cable car: Riding the cable car in the park is another must-try experience, as the short journey up offers a breathtaking sea view and takes you to The Summit.

Ocean Express: A submarine-themed train connecting different zones. Currently, the ride features videos of six Sanrio characters in diving gear on a deep-sea exploration.

Animals: At The Summit, apart from thrilling rides, visitors can watch seals and sea lions, learn about their traits and habitats, and get close to the creatures and interact with them for a fee. Animal lovers will also find meerkats, giant tortoises, penguins, dolphins, jellyfish, and many other species from various parts of the world.

Water World

A free shuttle bus will take visitors from Ocean Park to Water World on the other side of the mountain. Set against breathtaking ocean views, the park features 27 indoor and outdoor attractions spread across five themed zones.

The highlights include the Rainbow Rush, an 8-lane mat racing slide featuring a 17-meter drop through dark tubes; the Vortex, where groups of two to four ride in a raft spinning into a massive funnel; and Skyhigh Falls for extreme thrill seekers, which features a 70-degree suspended drop.

More fun than thrilling are the Surf Striker (indoor surfing) and the Lazy River, a relaxing drift with ocean views.

Where to stay

Ocean Park Marriott: The pet-friendly hotel features 471 guest rooms, several restaurants, outdoor gardens, pools, a gym, and a spa. Three types of cartoon-themed guest rooms, about 20 in total, cater to families with children.

Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel: The eco-friendly hotel has 425 rooms, each featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning South China Sea views. Nine of the rooms are decorated with themes of pandas, mermaids, forest safaris, and others. The hotel also features an infinity pool by the seaside and a large indoor children’s playground.

(Li Dan)