CHINA 5A TRAVEL
China's first polar-themed ocean park — belugas, polar bears and leaping dolphins across five venues on Dalian's rocky coast, linked by a cross-sea ropeway.
Laohutan — 'Tiger Beach' — is Dalian's ocean rolled into one park: 1.18 square kilometres of coast folded into the cliffs of Binhai Road, named in China's first batch of national 5A attractions in 2007 and famous as the country's first polar-themed ocean park. Green hills drop into a rocky blue bay, and the park puts every metre of that setting to work.
One ticket opens five venues. The flagship Polar Aquarium keeps belugas drifting past an underwater viewing tunnel, polar bears pacing Arctic ground and penguins diving off ice shelves, and its stadium stages the dolphin-and-sea-lion show that anchors most visits; the coral-lit Coral Hall, the Happy Theatre's sea-lion-and-walrus comedy, the pirate-ship-shaped Marine Mammal Hall with its feeding sessions and the hillside Bird Garden fill out the set — with a cross-sea ropeway swinging between the headlands over the bay.
The clock here is set by shows, not tanks: schedules change daily, so smart visitors photograph the board at the gate and plan the day around performances and feeding times. The park also anchors Dalian's southern shore — the Binhai Road cliff walk, Fujiazhuang beach and the sunset seafood tables of Fisherman's Wharf all string along the same coast, making Laohutan the natural heart of a seaside day in China's summer-resort city.
Highlights
Polar Aquarium
The flagship — belugas glide past the underwater tunnel while the stadium's dolphin-and-sea-lion show leaps; arrive early for seats.
Coral Hall
Reef tanks, tropical fish and a dreamlike jellyfish wall — and the venue that stays lit for the summer night session.
Happy Theatre
Sea lions, walruses and clowns run a comedy show that pulls audience members on stage — the loudest laughs in the park.
Marine Mammal Hall
A pirate-ship-shaped hall where seals and sea lions surface right beside you — feeding sessions are the closest encounters.
Bird Garden
The hillside aviary across the bay — peacocks fan their tails on the walkways between parrot shows and free-flight displays.
Cross-Sea Ropeway & Kids' Island
Cable cars drift over the bay between headlands, and a Jurassic-themed fun island keeps young explorers busy.
Photo Gallery
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