Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (长隆海洋王国)

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (长隆海洋王国, Chánglóng Hǎiyáng Wángguó) on Hengqin Island (横琴, Héngqín) is the world's largest ocean theme park: eight themed zones, pavilions housing whale sharks, beluga whales, penguins, and polar bears — plus roller coasters and nightly fireworks. Opened in 2014, it remains China's best all-in-one family day out.

Tickets and booking. Adult day pass ¥395 ($55) on regular days, ¥450 ($63) on weekends, public holidays, and July–August; children (1.0–1.5 m tall, or ages 3–11) ¥280 ($39) and ¥315 ($44). Under-1 m children enter free with one paying adult. Buy before you go through the official WeChat mini-program, Klook, or Trip.com; overseas visitors redeem the ticket with their passport, and entry is checked person-to-passport. Two-day passes (confirm pricing when booking) suit the unhurried.

What to do. The Whale Shark Pavilion (鲸鲨馆, jīngshā guǎn) has the world's largest acrylic viewing window — go at opening or share it with crowds. Catch the Beluga and Dolphin shows (arrive 30 minutes early for seats), ride the Parrot Roller Coaster (鹦鹉过山车, yīngwǔ guòshānchē), the world's longest flying coaster, and the Iceberg water coaster (冰山过山车, bīngshān guòshānchē). Around 7 PM the glow parade passes, and fireworks close over Hengqin Sea around 8 PM.

Getting there. Buses 14, 86, K10, and K11 from Zhuhai city stop at Hengqin Bay Hotel, a short walk from the gate. The Zhuhai–Chimelong intercity railway's Chimelong station is 10 minutes on foot. Taxis from central Zhuhai take 30–40 minutes (¥50–80 / $7–11).

What to know. Alipay and WeChat Pay work park-wide. Outside food is restricted to baby food and drinking water; in-park meals are pricey, so eat well before. Rent a stroller at the entrance for small kids, skip weekends and public holidays when queues explode, and grab an EasyPass priority wristband (from about ¥190 / $26 on regular days) if you hate waiting. Under-16s must come with someone aged 16 or older.