Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Saturday, 14.07.2018

Philip's friend Oscar is celebrating his birthday. They already know each other from Germany. Oscar and his parents live in Heidenheim, just a few houses away from us. They went to kindergarten together and kept their mothers on their toes. Oscar's dad also works at Voith, but at 'Turbo' and therefore in Shanghai and not in Kunshan. Oscar wished that his friend Philipp would come and it didn't matter what they would do. Since the temperatures are currently ranging between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius and only at night, we decided to do an air-conditioned indoor activity, the 'Shanghai Ocean Aquarium'.

Faithful to the Chinese motto, if it's good, it has to be big and loud, the 'snake' in front of the ticket counter already looked like a test of patience. In the entrance area, three rows are 'merged' to be able to take the first family photo with an artificial ocean background, which can then be purchased. Then you take an escalator to the upper floor (corresponding to the Chinese 2nd floor). Here the aquariums begin. The boys were originally motivated to come here because they wanted to see 'baby sharks'. So where were the sharks, Papa? The aquarium extends over three floors. The exhibition naturally starts with the less spectacular exhibits. The first highlight is a tunnel where you can walk through the underwater world.

Unfortunately, my knowledge of fish species is limited to a minimum, so I could only tell apart rays and not rays, but it was impressive anyway.

After the tunnel, we went down one floor on a spectacularly staged escalator.

This entrance is guarded by a crocodile, but it was taking a nap at the moment.

The next floor then reveals its icy sharp side. There is a sawfish

and the 'Penguins of Shanghai'.

The most impressive thing on this floor for me, however, were the jellyfish. Incredibly colorful beings that seemed to come from a different planet and radiate calm and elegance.

We went down one floor again and entered the final stretch. In this basement, there is an 80m long tunnel with a conveyor belt.

Past turtles and moray eels, it finally leads to the sharks.

Once again, like a diver, you drive through the underwater world. Giant rays and sharks swim to the left and right and above you.

The day ended with a good portion of 'Jiǎoze' (Chinese dumplings). Another eventful and beautiful day in China.