Play Aquarium Bucheon
Olga
2 days ago
Besides historical and cultural landmarks, I enjoy posting about various aquariums. One of the best I've visited was the aquarium in Bucheon, near Seoul.
Though Play Aquarium Bucheon is not as big as the country’s better-known aquariums -- Lotte Aquarium and Coex Aquarium -- it still has everything there is to satisfy visitors by showing them exciting sea creatures up close.
The Aquarium greets its visitors with a wide range of fish tanks that house various fish species from around the world.
While some of the country’s natural heritage, like Jeju’s giant mottled eel, live in the aquarium, different species of amphibians including Korean fire-bellied toads and Mexican axolotl salamanders are exhibited as well.
If viewing fabulous aquatic animals is not enough, head to the reptile and jungle zone where another exhibition of stunning creatures awaits.
The aquarium is located on the second floor. A large welcome area is located immediately upon entering.
Immediately upon entering, you find yourself in an underwater world. To the left of the entrance are small aquariums with a variety of fish.
The first hall is the Korean pavilion, where Korea's rivers and streams have been faithfully recreated. Designed to allow you to quickly and easily explore country's ecosystem, the Korea Pavilion features rivers divided into upper, middle, and lower reaches. Here, you can encounter native freshwater fish such as the snakehead and the endemic species, the Korean bitterling, as well as the fast-moving, flat-bodied Korean catfish and the yellowfin perch.
A must-visit spot if you come to the aquarium is the One Tunnel Aquarium, a sensory experience that draws you into a captivating land of fantasy. From the long, smooth, scaleless Beluga Sturgeon to the Giant Carp, the king of carp, step into a wonderland you cannot miss. It's low and narrow, allowing various fish to swim right next to you. You can see the smallest details. I felt as if I'd descended to the ocean floor and was among the fish. An amazing and unique experience!
Further on lies another interesting hall. It displays various fish and marine life from the tropical zone.
Amazingly beautiful underwater creatures! And also excellent simulations of tropical wildlife, allowing you to feel like a true jungle explorer.
In the Mammal Pavilion you can meet cute seals, beavers, and otters, see friendly seals clapping, cute beavers gnawing on branches all day long, and witness the amazing diving skills of otters, the renowned swimmers, with your own eyes.
One of my favorite places is the sea otter aquarium. I can spend hours watching the funny antics of these little creatures. And their dexterous diving and swimming are simply breathtaking!
There is also a beautiful pool nearby where beavers and geese live.
And of course, watching a seal is a special kind of pleasure.
Further on you can see various fish and amphibians, such as the axolotl and frogs.
Another thing I really liked was the diversity of sea turtles. They are amazing ancient creatures, truly dinosaur-like. I watched them for a long time with great interest.
The crocodile is no less interesting.
The Shark Pavilion, where the princes of the sea gather. There are sharks with massive bodies and majestic appearances swimming right next to you. Among them is the gigantic Sand Tiger Shark, and a feast of sardines guarding them.
Next is the Theme hall where you can encounter various themed aquariums, the moray eel—which can easily be mistaken for a real one due to its wide-eyed stare—as well as the common clownfish and blue tang that bring cuteness to the underwater world, octopuses, dog-faced puffers, and lionfish are waiting for you. Immerse yourself in the imagination of strolling across the emerald sea.
And then there's a stunning, sparkling corridor, as if something fantastic awaits ahead.
And it really does. A huge aquarium opens up before us. Welcome to the Main Hall, the highlight and heart of the aquarium. True to its name, the Main Hall boasts a magnificent scale and is home to a vast array of fish species. You can see zebra sharks with their distinctive striped patterns, blacktip sharks boasting a body size of 1.5 meters, and beautiful smiles from Cow-Nose Rays. A stunning underwater show by mermaid-like performers awaits you.
The final hall also has plenty of interesting features. In the center is an open-air pool with fish you can feed. Above the pool is a beautiful aquarium in the shape of a sparkling sphere.
There are also other aquariums here, as well as ducks and crustaceans. And nearby is a wonderful artificial waterfall.
But that's not all you can see in the Aquarium. A diverse array of reptiles from around the world all in one place! Meet various reptiles that live in their own unique ways in their respective habitats, reflecting their diverse appearances. From the pitch-black hunter, the Black King Snake, to the blue-tongued skink, you can encounter a wide variety of reptiles from around the world at Play Aquarium.
You'll see all sorts of things here. From amazing toads to funny lizards.
There's also a wide variety of snakes. There are no huge pythons here, of course, but there are plenty of small ones.
If you climb the stairs to the next floor, you'll find yourself in a northern world. Here you'll find cute penguins and beautiful silver foxes.
And further on there is a small zoo with many animals. An atmosphere that feels like being in the middle of a tropical rainforest! Welcome to the urban Jungle Zone, where you can explore a mysterious wild land. You can meet everything from fearsome jungle friends—such as the cleverest and most loyal wolfdogs and the cute yet unapproachable Asiatic black bears—to adorable ones.
The room is filled with the chirping of many parrots and other birds.
No one will remain indifferent to the adorable meerkats. They can be fed, so when they see a visitor, they quickly run to the feeding station and begin searching for food.
I spent several hours in the Aquarium and received many wonderful emotions and impressions!
Feast your eyes on colorful fish and remarkable marine and jungle life at Play Aquarium Bucheon in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province.
