Published on 12:00 AM, April 07, 2014

World's largest aquarium opens

World's largest aquarium opens

Swim aside, SeaWorld. Chimelong Ocean Kingdom has been crowned the world's largest aquarium by Guinness World Records.
After three years of construction, the 125-acre aquatic theme park is open for business.
Located on Hengqin Island near Macao, in China's southeastern Guangdong province, the destination is expected to accommodate millions of visitors a year.
According to Guinness, the attraction snagged five world records, including largest aquarium.
It can also boast bragging rights for largest underwater viewing dome, largest aquarium tank, largest aquarium window, and largest acrylic panel — included in the whale shark exhibit's walk-through viewing tunnel.
The aquarium holds a whopping 5.99 million gallons of saltwater. The park's seven themed areas contain an incredible 12.87 million gallons of saltwater and freshwater.
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom "will be the first great Asian theme park combining animal exhibits, themed entertainment shows, and thrill rides," PGAV Destinations, the park's lead strategist, planner, designer, and product developer, noted in a statement.
The developer, Guangdong Chimelong Group, led by Su Zhigang slated it to be "the Orlando of China."
The park's aquatic attractions will include whale shark exhibit, penguins, and polar bears, along with the more exotic pantropical spotted dolphins and Chinese white dolphins.
Other entertainment options include a "4D" movie theatre; Asia's first "winged coaster," Flying Over the Rainforest; and a roller coaster that also combines a live polar bear exhibit.
It is actually "one of the best efforts in Asia to create viewing interactions between people and animals," said PGAV Destinations VP and project lead Al Cross.