Plan at a glance
Venue profile and visit length
Nantong Ocean World is inside the Nantong Sports and Exhibition Centre at No. 7 Taoyuan Road, Chongchuan District. The venue is compact, with the main route on one floor. A full visit takes about 2–3 hours and suits families with young children who want an indoor animal visit, an underwater tunnel and time in the children's area. Visitors expecting a large-scale aquarium should adjust their expectations.
Normal hours are 09:00–17:00, with last entry at 16:30; weekends and holidays may open from 08:30. The official adult reference price is CNY 120, common online prices are about CNY 99–110, and the concession reference price is CNY 60. Children under 1.2 metres enter free with an accompanying adult.
Reservations, parking and tickets
Holders of the Chongchuan Cultural and Tourism Pass can usually exchange it for one admission, with a reservation made one day ahead. The car park is in front of the venue: CNY 6 for the first hour, CNY 2 for each following hour, with a CNY 30 maximum. After spending at the venue or an on-site restaurant, ask the front desk about a parking discount.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
View Visit Optionsvia Trip.comChoose your visit
Underwater tunnel and main zones
The main route includes the Tropical Rainforest Hall, Coral Sea Life Hall, Underwater Tunnel, Polar World, Small Animal Hall and Children's Playground. The Underwater Tunnel is the place to see sharks and rays overhead; the jellyfish area is good for blue-light photographs, while Polar World and the Small Animal Hall suit younger children.
The venue is closer to a children's attraction with aquarium exhibits than to a large aquarium. It works well for families who want a manageable 2–3 hour indoor stop. Visitors mainly looking for a large collection and dramatic aquarium displays may find the scale limited.
Shows and the children's area
The main shows are the Underwater Ballet, sea-animal show and parrot show. Showtimes follow the notice on the day of entry. The parrot show often finishes earlier, with the latest recorded time around 14:15; after entering, set the route around the day's programme if you want to see it.
The Children's Playground works well as the final activity. Adults entering the children's area must wear socks, so accompanying parents should bring a pair even if they have not planned to stay there.
Build your day
About 2–3 hours: the full route
Follow the venue route from the Tropical Rainforest Hall, where you can see piranhas and crocodiles, to the Coral Sea Life Hall for jellyfish, then continue to the Underwater Tunnel. Move on to Polar World for sea lions and seals, visit the Small Animal Hall, and finish in the Children's Playground.
Fit shows into the nearby section of the route according to the day's programme. If you want the parrot show, place it in the morning or at the earliest listed time, then continue through the other zones instead of repeatedly crossing the venue.
About 1.5 hours: a quick route
Go directly to the Underwater Tunnel for photographs and the underwater view, then choose one main show from the day's programme. Finish with a quick walk through the Tropical Rainforest Hall, Coral Sea Life Hall and Polar World. With young children, keep the Children's Playground for the final 20–30 minutes.
This route works when Ocean World is one stop between the sports centre and the surrounding shopping area. If queues are long, keep the Underwater Tunnel and one show as priorities rather than giving every zone the same amount of time.
Get there
Metro and walking
Take Nantong Metro Line 1 to Library Station, then walk about 15 minutes or use a shared electric bicycle to reach the Nantong Sports and Exhibition Centre. If driving, navigate to Nantong Ocean World; the car park is directly in front of the entrance.
Nearby food
Nanhetong Food Stall and Shuimaitang Nantong Seafood Restaurant are inside the sports and exhibition centre, making them convenient after the visit. The Zhongnan City shopping area opposite offers more choices; families can decide between the centre and the shopping area according to queues.
Know before you go
Shows, socks and expectations
The Underwater Ballet, sea-animal show and parrot show can change times, so follow the notice on the day. Adults must wear socks in the Children's Playground; if someone arrives without them, the availability of on-site socks follows the day's management arrangement.
The facilities are relatively dated and the range of fish is limited. Plan around a 2–3 hour family route, the Underwater Tunnel and children's activities rather than the scale of a major aquarium.
Parking and meals
Parking costs CNY 6 for the first hour, CNY 2 per following hour and up to CNY 30. After spending at the venue or an on-site restaurant, ask the front desk about a parking discount. Weekends and holidays may bring earlier opening or queues, so include entry and meal time in the family plan.