Children’s Hong Kong
Hong Kong is fundamentally a safe city for children. Your children will learn how to mix with people of multiple nationalities and will soon discover that it is indeed a big and interesting world outside their home country.
Facilities for children have greatly improved over the past 20 years. This is partly due to the new wealth and partly a realization that children growing up in high-rise buildings, with little or no access to the great outdoors, had to have purpose-built facilities.
Swimming pool and sports complexes have been relentlessly expanded by municipal government in all major built-up areas; adventure playgrounds with good, safe equipment were created; and schools and youth organizations offer all kinds of sporting and nonsporting activities. The Jockey Club, a non-profit organization which by law must plow millions of dollars of its enormous earnings back into the community every year, also got in on the act and built what is the most popular leisure park for adults and children alike.
Ocean Park and Middle Kingdom
Tel: 2552 0291
Website: www.oceanpark.com.hk
Open year-round, the Ocean Park complex consists of a marineland, amusement park and the Middle Kingdom, a walk-through museum tracing China’s history through all 13 dynasties. It is one of S o u t h e a s t Asia’s largest aquariums and theme parks. Ocean Park has reported a record-breaking four million visitors for its financial year 2006/07, the best in its 30-year history.
The park has six main areas. Marineland, reached by cable car, consists of a wave cove where you can watch seals and sea lions from above or below the waterline; the Atoll Reef, filled with over 5,000 fish, with viewing on four underwater levels; a walk-through shark aquarium and Ocean Theater where a killer whale and several dolphins perform (the world’s first dolphins bred by artificial insemination are at Ocean Park), as does the American Eagles professional diving team. There is also a huge walk- |
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through aviary with beautiful parrots, flamingos and hundreds of other species in well-landscaped surrounds. The newest attraction is the Dinosaur Discovery Trail, featuring 17 life-like dinosaurs and two animated story-teller characters. Also in the Lowland Gardens are a Butterfly House, Giant Panda Habitat and a Goldfish Pagoda, these latter of special significance in Chinese feng shui matters. Open until 7pm.
Last year, they launched the ‘Caribbean Summer Splash 2006’. Twenty Cuban troupe performers gyrated to the pulsating Cuban beat. It was the only event in town where pure imagination and the magic of carnival and dangerous pirates became real. They also feature Spooky Halloween Bash from September to October 31st. For details visit website: www.halloweenbash.com.hk
One of the most popular activities is the ‘behind the scenes tour’ where Education Ambassadors guide visitors through the mazes behind the exhibits to discover fascinating facts about the animals and plants in the park.
Amusement rides are included in the price of admission and include the hair-raising ‘Dragon’, one of the world’s longest and most exciting roller coaster rides, with two 360 degree curls. The roller coaster is perched on the cliff edge and if you have your eyes open long enough, you will see quite a spectacular view. Other rides include ‘white water rafting’ up and down man-made rapids and various giant swings. A sudden drop from 60 meters high by The Abyss will have you screaming at full volume.
SkyFair – Flight of Fancy is Ocean Park’s newest addition to its attraction. A 22m diameter helium balloon soars 100 meters into the air to provide a breathtaking view of the southern side of Hong Kong island. There is live entertainment by the host of ‘inflated’ balloon people, stilt walks etc. Bungee trampoline will have you bouncing back and catapulting into the air.
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Most activities take place on the headland with access via cable cars. This in itself is a spectacular ride, not for sufferers of vertigo. Alternative access is by the ‘world’s longest escalator’. The aviary and some of the rides are halfway down the escalator and it is tempting, after visiting these areas, to carry on down to the exit. Be warned, this exit is far from the main entrance/exit, though there is a bus that will take you to the main entrance.
Prices include access to Middle Kingdom and unlimited rides in the amusement park. Every adult can bring one child between the ages of 3 and 11, free of charge. Family fun annual pass is available for HK$880 (includes 2 adults and 2 children).
The Ocean Park Summer School was launched last year, and is aimed at youngsters aged four to 15. Summer School programs include hands-on-activities with the focus on communication and teamwork. There are fourlevels of courses where children can get to meet Ocean Park’s animal friends face to face and learn how to look after them. The highlight of the summer class is a ‘sleep with the sharks’ program that offers a chance for those aged 12 to 15 to spend a night beneath the shark aquarium.
For 90 minutes, children will have the chance to learn how to interact with dolphins and learn how to communicate one to another in their Dolphin Encounter Program.
Call 2873 8602 for more details about the summer school.
There is a Citybus (Route 629) to Ocean Park operating between Admiralty bus station or Star Ferry. You can buy the Ocean Park ticket plus roundtrip bus ticket on board. Prices, adult $189, children $97. There is also minibus No 6, which departs from Star Ferry.
Ocean Park was selected the most lovable site in Hong Kong as part of the “My Heart, My Home” competition run by Home Affairs Bureau in January 2007.
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