BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

 Whale sharks gliding overhead, a behind-the-scenes experience with animal keepers, and a night spent sleeping beside an aquarium — Hengqin Chimelong Resort in Zhuhai, China, turns a family holiday into a much closer encounter with the ocean.

And if Hengqin sounds unfamiliar, it is closer than you might think. Located in Zhuhai, just across the border from Macao, Hengqin Chimelong Resort is an easy addition to a Macao or Greater Bay Area family holiday.

Come for the Whale Sharks — Then Get Even Closer

At Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, start with a sight that is hard to forget: the enormous Whale Shark Aquarium. Its enormous viewing screen stretches 39.6 metres long and 8.3 metres high, opening onto an underwater world where whale sharks glide past alongside manta rays and thousands of fish.

But Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is not only about what happens underwater. Some of its biggest moments come with a soundtrack. The 5D Castle Cinema and Ocean Night Parade have both received international recognition from the Themed Entertainment Association, while the Ocean Color Fireworks Show has won an IAAPA Brass Ring Award. From immersive cinema and glowing parade floats to fireworks lighting up the night, these are the kind of shows worth making time for.

For children who want to get closer to marine life, keeper experiences also offer a hands-on way to discover how animals are cared for — turning a day of watching into a day of learning.

An Unforgettable Night Beside the Whale Sharks

Some memories begin after everyone else has gone home.

With the Whale Shark Overnight, families can camp inside the Whale Shark Aquarium after the park closes. As everything becomes quieter, settle into a tent beside the aquarium and watch whale sharks and schools of fish drift past before falling asleep.

Imagine the story your child gets to tell afterwards: “I slept beside a whale shark.”

That is a little harder to forget than an ordinary night at a hotel.

Take the Ocean Adventure Indoors— and the Kids — Into the Future

The adventure continues at Chimelong Spaceship — and this is where the scale shifts again. Spanning nearly 400,000 square metres, it is the world’s largest indoor theme park. Inside, 67 freshwater and seawater pools are home to nearly 150,000 marine animals across more than 400 species, all woven into a futuristic world of marine discovery and entertainment.

Explore the world’s largest living coral reef exhibit, journey beneath the water aboard the Deep-Sea Submarine, or get swept into the action at Bermuda Storm 5D Theatre.

But there is now another reason for curious kids to look around: robots. Following a major upgrade in September 2026, Chimelong Spaceship became what Chimelong describes as the world’s first large-scale embodied-intelligence theme park, with hundreds of robots appearing throughout the park. Children can see them perform, interact with visitors, answer questions, guide guests and even turn marine science into playful learning — bringing tomorrow’s technology surprisingly close to everyday family fun.

And because the adventure is indoors, hot weather or sudden rain does not have to change the day.

The Fun Never Ends: Unforgettable Family Adventures

The award-winning Chimelong Show brings international performers, acrobatics and spectacular stunts to the stage, while the Fireworks Show fills the night with fireworks, drones, lasers and live performances.

When it is finally time to rest, choose from four themed hotels: Hengqin Bay Hotel, Penguin Hotel, Circus Hotel and Spaceship Hotel. Eligible hotel packages also offer early park entry, giving families a head start the next morning. Beyond marine wonders, Chimelong Spaceship also delivers futuristic experiences for kids, featuring robots and cutting-edge tech attractions.

At Hengqin Chimelong Resort, children do not simply watch the ocean world from a distance. They can meet it, learn about it, play in it — and even fall asleep beside it.

There are still countless wonders waiting for you to explore. Come create and leave your own unforgettable memories at Hengqin Chimelong Resort.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo From Hengqin Chimelong Resort