Motion sickness at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park: what's rough and how to cope

Pudong, Shanghai, China · Haichang Ocean Park Holdings · ~4.73M visitors (2024, industry estimate)

Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park is a marine-life park with one big coaster attached, which makes it straightforward to plan around: the aquarium halls, polar animal exhibits and shows are the substance of the visit, and they involve no motion at all. The thrill list is short. Steel Dolphin is an LSM launch coaster with wave-shaped airtime hills, Volcano Rafting sends rafts through rapids, and Deep Sea Voyage is a screen-based underwater dark ride, which is the one that catches people who assume anything indoors and slow is safe. The Time Capsule cable car and the Ocean Carousel round out a gentle day that suits mixed-tolerance families well.

The rides most likely to set you off

• Steel Dolphin: LSM launch coaster with wave-like airtime hills.

• Volcano Rafting: raft ride through rapids.

• Deep Sea Voyage: screen-based underwater dark ride.

Steel Dolphin is the strongest physical hit: an LSM launch into repeated airtime hills, which produces the weightless sensation that unsettles drop-sensitive riders.

Where to reset between rides

When your stomach needs a break, head for Time Capsule Cable Car, Ocean Carousel or Aquarium and polar animal exhibits. Slow visuals, a fixed horizon and a seat that is not spinning give your inner ear time to settle before the next big ride.

Feeling queasy at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park right now?

Stop the nausea

Open Dizzout, plug in any headphones, tap play. Drug-free sound therapy, and most people feel better in about 90 seconds. No pills, no drowsiness, no waiting for a tablet to kick in.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

On a computer? Dizzout installs on your phone — scan the code, or open dizzout.com/get on your phone and it'll take you straight to the right store.

Your survival plan for Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park

1. 1

   Ride Steel Dolphin early if airtime hills are within your tolerance, and skip it without regret if weightlessness bothers you.

2. 2

   Volcano Rafting spins as it descends, so treat it as a spinning ride rather than a water ride.

3. 3

   Do not assume Deep Sea Voyage is a rest stop; screen-based dark rides are a common trigger even at slow speeds.

4. 4

   Anchor your day in the aquarium and polar exhibit halls, which are cool, dim and completely still.

5. 5

   The Time Capsule cable car gives you a slow, wide view and is the best way to travel the park when your head is unsettled.

6. 6

   Carry earbuds and run Dizzout at the first sign of nausea; about 90 seconds of drug-free sound therapy beats waiting it out.

7. 7

   Ride names here are not thoroughly documented in English, so confirm the lineup on the park map when you arrive.

Going with kids

Aquarium-first layout works well for families with mixed tolerance.

Common questions