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Best aquarium destinations in Asia

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Okinawa Island
Reef beaches and Ryukyu Kingdom heritage
8.4
Churaumi Aquarium opened on 1 November 2002 with the world's largest tank until Georgia Aquarium surpassed it in 2005. The Kuroshio Sea tank holds about 2 million gallons and houses whale sharks and manta rays. A first captive manta birth came in 2007. More than 3.5 million people visit each year.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on white sands of Emerald and Zanpa Beaches
  • 🏯 Explore historic Shuri Castle, former Ryukyu Kingdom palace
  • 🐋 Visit Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, home to whale sharks
Osaka
Castle, neon canals and street food
8.5
Exhibits at Kaiyukan follow the Pacific Ring of Fire from the Aleutian Islands to Monterey Bay. The central Pacific Ocean tank holds about 1.4 million gallons and houses two whale sharks. It opened in May 1990 as the world's largest public aquarium. It lies a five minute walk from Osakako Station.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the world’s largest
  • 🍢 Feast on street food at Dotonbori and see the neon lights
  • 🏯 Explore Osaka Castle and wander through its scenic park
Singapore
Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens
9.5
The former S.E.A. Aquarium reopened on 24 July 2025 as Singapore Oceanarium with 22 zones. It first opened in 2012 as the world's largest aquarium by water volume at about 11.9 million gallons. More than 100,000 animals from over 800 species live at Resorts World Sentosa. The Open Ocean exhibit has 50,000 schooling fish.
Highlights:
  • 🏮 Wander through Chinatown’s temples and traditional shophouses
  • 🌳 Visit Gardens by the Bay and its iconic Supertree Grove
  • 🌆 Admire the futuristic skyline from Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
Dubai
Glamour, Adventure and Desert Charm
9.2
Sand tiger sharks glide past an acrylic panel about 108 feet wide and 27 feet high. The main tank holds about 2.6 million gallons. Around 33,000 animals from over 140 species live in the aquarium. A 157 foot tunnel gives a 270 degree view. The Underwater Zoo upstairs adds otters, penguins and a resident crocodile.
Highlights:
  • 🏜️ Take a desert safari and ride camels over golden dunes
  • ⛷️ Shop and ski inside the Dubai Mall and Ski Dubai
  • 🏙️ Ascend the Burj Khalifa and watch the city from above
Moscow
A grand city of history and power
8.2
Far from any ocean, Moskvarium holds about 6.6 million gallons of water in Pavilion 23 at VDNKh. It opened on 5 August 2015 and passed 10 million visitors by August 2021. About 12,000 animals from roughly 600 species live in 80 tanks. A sea tunnel lets visitors walk beneath sharks.
Highlights:
  • 🪆 See Lenin’s Mausoleum and explore Soviet history
  • 🕍 Tour the Kremlin and its impressive cathedrals
  • 🏰 Admire St. Basil’s Cathedral on Red Square
Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
9.7
Pacific bluefin tuna circle a ring-shaped tank of about 581,000 gallons at Tokyo Sea Life Park. The park opened in 1989 and holds about 85,000 animals from roughly 940 species. Sunshine Aquarium in Toshima adds rooftop penguins above the city. A replacement for the ageing park was planned for 2026, so confirm current status.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Visit the teamLab digital art museum
  • 🌆 Enjoy panoramic city views from observation decks
  • 🍣 Savour sushi at a local eatery
Shanghai
A dazzling mix of modernity and tradition
9.0
Zones for China, South America and Africa organise more than 450 species at Shanghai Ocean Aquarium. Chinese sturgeon and Japanese giant spider crabs are among them. Tanks hold about 1.3 million gallons in total and the largest holds about 581,000 gallons. The aquarium opened in 2002 and draws about one million visitors a year.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Wander through Yu Garden and explore its traditional pavilions
  • 🏙️ Take the world’s fastest elevator to Shanghai Tower’s observation deck
  • 🌃 Admire Shanghai’s skyline from The Bund promenade at night
Taipei
A vibrant blend of old and new
9.0
Xpark opened in August 2020 in Zhongli, Taoyuan, two stops by High Speed Rail from Taipei Main Station. Thirteen exhibition halls spread across three floors. The main tank holds about 10,000 fish including rays and hammerhead sharks. Penguins sometimes swim through tubes at Xcafé. Buy tickets online in advance, especially at weekends.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax and soak in the Beitou hot springs
  • 🍢 Wander through the bustling Shilin Night Market and try local snacks
  • 🏙️ Take in the skyline views from the Taipei 101 observatory
Chengdu
Pandas, Hotpot and Laid-back Vibes
8.2
Polar animals draw visitors to Haichang Polar Ocean World, a 17 acre park on Tianfu Avenue. Exhibits include walruses, polar bears, belugas and emperor penguins. Sharks, sea turtles and sea lions share the grounds. A 4D hall adds fog, rain and snow effects. Metro Line 1 stops about 1,000 feet away.
Highlights:
  • 🍜 Stroll through Kuanzhai Alley for culture and food
  • 🏯 Explore historic Wuhou Shrine and Zhuge Liang’s legacy
  • 🐼 Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Pandas
Ocean Park Hong Kong
Thrilling Marine-Themed Adventure
The Grand Aquarium opened in 2011 with a 1.4 million gallon tank. It held more than 5,000 fish from over 400 species at opening. Shark Mystique added sharks and rays in 2014. Sea Jelly Spectacular opened in 2006 as Southeast Asia's first standalone sea jelly exhibit. The park covers 226 acres.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Explore the expansive marine life exhibits and aquariums
  • 🐬 Watch the entertaining dolphin and sea lion shows
  • 🎢 Ride the thrilling roller coasters and water rides
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