I was cuddling with penguins in Dalian and got "flirted" by a ray in the underwater tunnel

In the underwater tunnel, a ray flapped its wings and swooped over my head, its sly eyes seeming to say, "Hey, you’ve trespassed into my territory!"
I have to say, Dalian Sun Asia Ocean World gave me so many surprises.

Entering a Dreamlike Ocean World

When you stand in this 118-meter-long underwater tunnel, watching sharks swim overhead and colorful tropical fish brush past you, you’ll be as speechless with amazement as I was! This isn’t just a visit; it’s like stepping into a dreamy blue planet.

Must-Visit Highlights: More Than Just the Underwater Tunnel

Sun Asia Ocean World is divided into four main themed pavilions: Ocean Pavilion, Polar Pavilion, Coral Pavilion, and Deep Sea Legend Pavilion. Each pavilion holds its own unique surprises!

🐠 Ocean Pavilion: The 118-meter underwater tunnel is definitely the top Instagram spot. Walking through it feels like becoming a diver, surrounded 360 degrees by deep blue water and schools of fish. That ray that loves to "flirt" with visitors—who knows if it has a special fondness for everyone?

🐧 Polar Pavilion: The Land of Cute Pets
This is the place where you’ll hear the most laughter on the whole trip! Slow-walking penguins, agile beluga whales, and a kung fu walrus that can mimic Michael Jackson’s dance moves—the polar dance king’s performance will definitely make you laugh until you cry!

Speaking of penguins, I have to say a bit more. Sun Asia is a "National Antarctic Penguin Breeding Base"! Here live the white-browed penguins (also called Papua penguins), with white feathers above their eyes that look like long eyebrows—super adorable.

If you visit in October to November, you might witness the "penguin hatching wave"—newly hatched penguins covered in gray-white down, hiding under their parents’ bellies to keep warm, occasionally poking out their little heads, hungry and calling out, melting hearts! They are fed by their parents through regurgitation, and keepers also provide extra nutrition to the penguin parents.

🌊 Spectacular Shows: "Kung Fu Walrus" is hilarious, "Beluga Legend" is beautiful, and "Deep Sea Symphony" is stunning—each show has its own charm. It’s recommended to arrive 15 minutes early to secure a seat.

Tips for Visiting: Avoid Pitfalls

1️⃣ Tickets: The 2025 combo ticket starts at 210 RMB, much more cost-effective than buying single pavilion tickets! Strongly recommend buying tickets online in advance to skip the lines.

2️⃣ Tour Route: Polar Pavilion → Ocean Pavilion → Coral Pavilion → Deep Sea Legend Pavilion is the smoothest route. Animals are more active in the morning, and shows are more frequent then.

3️⃣ Time Planning: The whole visit takes 4-6 hours. Weekend mornings are peak times, so try to avoid them.

4️⃣ Dress Advice: Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll walk about 15,000 steps throughout, and you’ll thank me for the reminder!

5️⃣ Hidden Perks: The park has nursing rooms and wheelchair rentals, very friendly for families with children and elderly visitors.

Final Thoughts

Sun Asia Ocean World is not just an aquarium; it’s a magical place that awakens your inner child. When you see the sparkle in children’s eyes interacting with beluga whales, or couples holding hands tightly in the underwater tunnel, you’ll understand that this place holds Dalian’s bluest and most romantic memories.

Practical Information
📍 Address: West side of Xinghai Square, Shahekou District, Dalian
🕘 Hours: Peak season (July-August) 8:20 AM - 6:00 PM
💡 Notes: Some interactive activities require extra fees, be sure to confirm prices in advance.