A Summer Journey of Shark Exploration and Marine Conservation in Lujiazui
        July 14 marks International Shark Conservation Day. On this special day, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium launched the media day for its 2026 summer themed event – “Sharks in Town”. The event invited media practitioners, annual pass members, and family influencers from Xiaohongshu to dive into the fascinating world of sharks. Packed with expert‑led shark popular science lectures by scholars from Shanghai Ocean University, eco‑friendly DIY workshops, themed exhibition guided tours and in‑aquarium interactive experiences, the immersive event enabled the public to reshape their perception of sharks and raise awareness of marine ecological conservation in a relaxing and entertaining atmosphere.
        Sharks are widely stereotyped as ferocious and dangerous predators. In fact, there are over 500 known shark species worldwide, and the majority are non‑aggressive toward humans. Serving as apex and keystone species in marine food chains, sharks are vital to sustaining the ecological balance of ocean ecosystems. However, rampant overfishing, marine pollution and habitat degradation have pushed many shark species to the brink of survival. This summer, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium adopts approachable, highly interactive activities to showcase the true diversity of sharks, helping visitors fully understand the intrinsic connection between shark protection and marine ecosystem preservation.

From Observation to Insight: Ocean Classroom as the Core Summer Experience Zone
        For the 2026 summer, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium has unveiled a full lineup of themed activities under the theme of “Sharks in Town”, centering on “Exploring Sharks, Protecting the Ocean”. Located on the third floor of the aquarium, the Ocean Classroom serves as the core experience venue for the campaign, featuring dedicated shark science exhibition areas that comprehensively introduce shark species, living habits, reproductive characteristics and ecological values.
        Visitors can observe the whole process of shark egg hatching on site and experience supervised tactile interactions with docile juvenile sharks under the guidance of professional instructors. For parent‑child families, this space offers not only novel and fun interactive experiences, but also vivid, immersive popular science lessons on marine ecology.

Expert Lecture Session: Professor Chen Zaizhong Debunks Myths About Sharks
        At the International Shark Conservation Day media event on July 14, Professor Chen Zaizhong, Vice Dean and Doctoral Supervisor of the College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, delivered an authoritative keynote lecture. Focusing on the survival status of shark populations, prevalent public misconceptions and marine biodiversity conservation, the lecture integrated professional knowledge with vivid storytelling to break people’s biased and one‑sided understanding of sharks, highlighting their pivotal role in healthy ocean ecosystems.
        Following the lecture, guests crafted custom eco‑friendly ornaments from coloured beads made of recycled plastic. This hands‑on activity turned the “care for our oceans” ethos into an engaging take‑home environmental action.

Tap Your Phone to Start the Shark Hunt: Six NFC Checkpoints Span the Aquarium’s Visitor Route
        To enhance visitor engagement throughout the summer, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium has rolled out an NFC‑powered interactive shark‑hunt campaign from July to September. A total of six NFC interactive checkpoints are strategically placed across key exhibition zones, including the Ocean Classroom, Coastal Zone and Underwater Tunnel.
        During their visit, visitors simply tap designated interactive devices with their smartphones to launch quiz or photo check‑in tasks. Anyone completing missions at any two checkpoints is eligible for an online lucky draw. Prizes include authentic shark teeth, custom “I Love the Ocean” tote bags and shark‑themed ice cream.
        This interactive approach moves shark‑themed content beyond static display panels, weaving shark‑related popular‑science content into visitors’ full tour route. As they explore and take part in the activity, visitors gradually learn about shark behaviours, ecological functions and conservation significance. This makes the science‑learning experience more relaxed and memorable.

Take Marine Love Home: Eco‑Friendly Merchandise Zone Advocates the “I Love the Ocean” Concept
        Throughout the summer event period, the aquarium’s gift shop has launched a dedicated eco‑friendly merchandise zone. It offers a wide range of products made from recycled materials, including storage bags, power banks and phone lanyards, alongside aquarium‑exclusive limited‑edition “I Love the Ocean” T‑shirts and reusable eco‑bags.
        The ocean nurtures all life on Earth and is closely intertwined with human daily life. The eco‑merchandise zone is designed to extend visitors’ marine conservation awareness beyond the aquarium. Every choice of sustainable products is a small but powerful act of protecting the blue planet. Every eco‑friendly item taken home conveys a sincere and enduring advocacy for loving and preserving the marine environment.

“Sleep with Sharks” Kids Independent Summer Camp: Dreaming Beneath the 155‑Metre Underwater Tunnel
        As a signature independent youth program of Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, the “Sleep with Sharks” overnight camp launches multiple summer sessions, tailored for children aged 8 to 12.
        The aquarium presents a unique and enchanting landscape after nightfall. Young explorers set up sleeping bags in the 155‑metre‑long Underwater Tunnel, falling asleep amid shimmering water ripples, surrounded by swimming sharks and dense schools of fish. The overnight camp also includes professional marine science courses, aquatic animal feeding experiences and exclusive on‑site photography services. Through independent exploration, children gain in‑depth knowledge of marine biodiversity and create precious, one‑of‑a‑kind summer memories.

Extended Summer Night Hours: Embrace Blue Summer Nights in Lujiazui
        Nestled in Lujiazui, Pudong and adjacent to the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is a nationally recognized popular science education base and AAAA‑level tourist attraction. It houses nine major exhibition zones showcasing over 450 aquatic species and more than 15,000 aquatic animals, taking visitors on an ocean journey across five continents.
        In July and August 2026, the aquarium extends its opening hours to 9:00–21:00, with night sessions running from 17:30 to 21:00. Visitors can purchase discounted night tickets to avoid peak crowds and experience the serene beauty of the underwater world on summer nights. Reservations for the “Sleep with Sharks” Kids Independent Camp are available via the official WeChat account of Shanghai Ocean Aquarium.
        This summer, come to Lujiazui and join the “Sharks in Town” themed event at Shanghai Ocean Aquarium. Explore the real world of sharks and contribute your part to marine conservation.