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Face to FaceWith World's Marine Life

The underwater transparent-tun nel concept for aquariums was born when international diver Kelly Tarlton and marine civil engineer Ian Mellsop came together with their dream of letting people see and understand the deep-sea world from the "inside" , as it were, without setting foot in an ocean or even getting wet. Their wish came true in Auckland, New Zealand, about 16 years ago with the opening of Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World by the New Zealand firm Marinescape, the first aquarium of its type in the world.

Now Beijing has three such aquariums, located in the East and West of the city, each with unique characteristics. For example, Beijing Aquarium is the largest; Blue Zoo has the longest underwater acrylic tunnel; and Taipingyang (Pacific) Underwater World features displays by sharks, penguins and seals.

Beijing Aquarium
Located in Beijing Zoo, close to the Beijing Exhibition Center, Capital Stadium and Planetarium, this aquarium is classified as the largest inland aquarium in the world and equipped with the most advanced facilities. Architecturally stunning and with 42,000 square meters of floor space, it can be found on the north bank of the Chang River within the zoo.
Featured are thousands of marine species in a manufactured environment within which visitors can enjoy magical oceanic "journeys" all year round. They include:

Tidal Encounter - A pool containing starfish, sea slugs and much else to fascinate you. You can even tap a live turtle's shell just to let him know you are friendly.

Wonder of Coral Reefs - Here is a true "submarine- experience, taking in the South China Sea, commentated, educational crossings of the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Red and Mediterranean seas, and finally into the finishing point of the Atlantic Ocean.

Shark Aquarium - In the dark depths of the sea, you will see sharks slowly moving around you, and you will be grateful you are protected by an acrylic screen.

Add: B18, Gaoliangqiao Xiejie, Haidian
Tel: 6833-8741/42

Blue Zoo Beijing
Built entirely beneath the lake at Beijing Workers- Stadium, this zoo has 7,800 square meters of space whose waters feature 6,000 tropical marine species in a manufactured saltwater environment. A state-of-the-art filtration system and ozone-protein skimming technology ensures the best possible care for the inhabitants.

The zoo's 120-meter acrylic tunnel is the longest in Asia. Its moving walkway was designed and prefabricated in New Zealand. On average, it takes about 10 minutes for visitors to traverse the main body of water, but from the moment you enter, you are among a magnificent display of some of the world's most colorful and exotic fish.

Blue Zoo not only provides visitors with close-up views of the magnificent underwater world, it offers a marine-culture center where children, teenagers and adults can learn about marine creatures, their biology and environments. Much emphasis is put on protecting and saving endangered species.

A plus of the zoo is that you can dine there at weekends. Underwater, of course, but you won'st get your feet or anything else wet. If you want to try it, make sure you make a reservation in advance.

- Blue Zoo Beijing, Workers- Stadium (South Gate), Chaoyang District.
Admission: Adults, 75 yuan; children, 50 yuan; toddlers under one and the over-80s are admitted free. Open 8am- 8pm.
Tel: 6591-3397, 6591-3398.

Taipingyang (Pacific)
Underwater World

This permanent exhibition, covering a total area of 7,000 square meters, is located at the base of China Central Television Tower. Its underwater see-through channel is 80 meters in length with a 270-degree visual angle, claimed to be the best viewing of marine life in Beijing.

The star attractions here are a few of the world's remaining, highly-endangered Humboldt penguins. Originally from Peru, these lively aquatic creatures face decimation and possibly extinction by losing their habitats to human activity.

Located at the center of the exhibition area is a Touch Pool where visitors can make hands-on contact with various sea creatures such as rays, sharks and starfish. At feeding time, visitors can help provide their meal under a staff member's direction.

Recent additions here are two lovable spotted seals from the Bohai Sea. Highly intelligent as trained seals can be, they are always entertaining to audiences. Visitors are allowed to get close to them after performance and help feed them.

Taipingyang (Pacific) Underwater World also offers candle-lit dinner in the underwater channel on Friday-Sunday evenings. Dinner costs 108 yuan per person (adults) and 78 yuan for children. Both prices include admission fees. Visitors who pay 60 yuan extra can obtain a pearl when finishing their tour.

Taipingyang (Pacific) Underwater World, 1/F, Central Television Tower, No.11, Xisanhuan Zhonglu, Haidian District. Admission: Adults, 60 yuan; children and over-60s, 40 yuan. Open 9am-6:30pm (Mon.-Fri.); 8:30am- 8pm (Sat-Sun).
Tel: 6846-1172, 6846-1173.