I visited this park because they have Pandas. I love pandas. My nickname when I was very little was Branda Panda aka Bear. I couldn’t go to China and not see pandas. I was told by the folks at Grayline Tours that it would be easier and cheaper to not use their tour but to take the MTR to where the buses connect you to directly Ocean Park. So I asked them and I confirmed with the front desk at Garden Hostel and at the information desk in the MTR where the stop was for me to get to Ocean Park and I got there with no issue ( I asked a lot just to make sure I was heading the right way). Some of the features of this park that are a must visit is the Coral Reef. I enjoyed the huge Reef they had and all the fish displays. They had sting rays and clown fish and many kinds of carp. It was truly as if you could see every fish in the ocean has to offer in one place. I also was able to see some Sea Horse (which is what the Ocean Park logo is inspired from) as well and they had a lot of them there.
They have a really nice section with much different type of carp fish and a koi pond area as well called Goldfish Treasure. Goldfish Treasure has lots of colorful bubbly gold fish everywhere of every kind from the plain to the downright weird looking ones, but all interesting.
Another attraction of note is the Pacific Pier. The features of Pacific Pier are the board walk, light house and the interactive area under the pier. This area is constructed to mimic the California shore line. There are some great places over here for taking nice photos and of the landscape and of the seals they have on exhibit. On my visits one of the big papa seals was very vocal and you could hear him for many, feet away. They do have feeding times posted as well so if you want to see the seals go from looking like lazy, slick statues visit at a feeding time and take some great action shots. They will pick well behaved children during feeding time to toss in a fish or to for the seals to enjoy. So if you have kids check out California Pier at Ocean Park.
The Ocean Park Escalator – the second largest outdoor elevator in the World was exciting. Great views of the park lay out as well as the bay nearby. There are a few breaks that let you acclimate to the heights and afford a chance for some nice photos. You can’t buy backdrops like these views anywhere. The escalator is covered so day night rain or shine you can enjoy this ride. When I visited the park it was a few days till Halloween so they had both sides of the escalator lined up with skeletons and zombies is various poses. They were fun and festive. When it was time for me to go back down the mountain it was very near sunset so the view was different but equally impressive.
As I mentioned before I went to Ocean Park to see the Giant Pandas. After running around the rest of park I went to the Giant Panda Adventure Exhibit- to see one of my Favorite animals on the planet. The Giant Panda exhibit houses the well-known black and white pandas and the lesser known Red Pandas – also known as the fire fox. The giant pandas where out but were sleeping pretty hard when I got there (I just missed the last feeding time because I was distracted by taking pictures of the views on the escalator ride). They didn’t do too much moving around but they were still magnificent to see so close. I got a real kick out of the Fire Fox red pandas. They had two of them out and about. Resembling more of a cross between a fox and raccoon these little guys were super active. They snacked on the bamboo, ran up and down the trees and perches and even stopped a few times just for photos and went back to doing whatever it is that pandas do… which is mostly looking super cute. I love and respect these animals they it’s a real treat to see them in person as they are in danger of being wiped out. So I will fight my want for one to keep as a pet and learn about them and enjoy them from a distance. Mission See Pandas While in China: Accomplished!
Other Attractions : Flamingo Pond _ I was walking through here to head towards the escalator is took some photos of the Flamingos at Flamingo Pond. They are really cool looking birds but today some of the super pink fellas were fighting it out and making lots of noise. I was lucky to get some of that on Video but on the still photos their posture made a sweet heart shape. Love, hate, hate, love they dont looks so different here. Enjoy!
Park Ride~~
Gallery for Ocean Park ~ All Photos by Brandi Rhone unless other wise stated
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