Positioned as the latest world class attraction within the Guangzhou Zoo, Ocean World Guangzhou is one of the most spectacular, large scale public aquariums in Asia. Visitors are transported through a colourful coral reef tunnel where they are surrounded by marine life from the South China Sea. Large flat acrylic viewing panels provide a dramatic window into the coral reef for those visitors who want to linger for a moment and appreciate the awesome spectacle of this impressive, artificially created environment. Another vantage point into the coral reef aquarium is from the mezzanine floor where the sheer volume of this aquarium can be fully appreciated.

From the coral reef to several smaller aquariums that display themed topics, from dangerous marine creatures to the reef cave, visitors are introduced to a unique and spectacular aquarium of 18m length. The artificial corals combined with the colourful beauties of the reef are a sight that most visitors stop beside to have their photos taken.

On level one, the focus is on life in the sea. Level two introduces visitors to the world of freshwater. Life in a jungle stream is contrasted with life in a mountainous stream and a lakes. Living at the boundary of where the sea meets the land is represented in the rocky shore aquarium and beside it, the mangrove exhibit.

The larger animals of the sea are displayed in the Shark Aquarium with two large panoramic viewing windows. Sharks and rays, together with other predators, cruise past visitors noses just centimetres away.

Leaping from the depths at over 7m, dolphins captivate an audience of 1,600. The dolphin and sea lion performance stadium was one of the first major membrane roof structures in China.

Crossley Architects are proud to have been involved with Ocean World Guangzhou through their architectural consultancy services to Living Ocean International.

Crossley Architects Pty Ltd 2010.