Perhaps it’s the salty air that carries whispers of Shenzhen’s past right here at Plaza of Ocean Scene. Sea World Shenzhen may have nothing to do with orcas. But it has everything to do with China’s economic awakening.
Back in 1979, this area, near the port, became a Free Trade Zone. Foreign oil companies were invited to set up shop. It was a small experiment. This experiment helped propel China into the economic powerhouse.
Today, Plaza of Ocean Scene stands as a testament to that transformation. It is easily accessible by metro on Line 2. The Plaza of Ocean Scene is close to the Shekou Ferry Terminal. Ferries leave from here to Hong Kong, Hong Kong Airport and Macau. Shenzhen Bay is also nearby for overland access to Hong Kong.
You may notice many Western faces here at Plaza of Ocean Scene. That’s because Sea World is popular with expats in Shenzhen. Two large international schools, SIS and QSI, are nearby. Plus, Sea World has a Westernized feel. You will find Western chain restaurants and English-friendly bars.
Yet, you are still in China. Locals enjoy Sea World’s unique charm. The open pedestrian plaza hosts events almost every weekend. There are music shows and promotional events. Plaza of Ocean Scene is a hub of activity day and night.
Stepping off the escalators from the Sea World metro station you arrive directly at Plaza of Ocean Scene. McDonald’s and KFC are to your left. Taiwanese bubble tea and shaved ice desserts are to your right.
This plaza hosts larger public events. Stages appear and disappear quickly. Imagine returning after a few hours to find a Cadillac promotional event. A full-size car submerged in a tank of water!
Also, take a look at the adorable whale tail benches decorating the Plaza of Ocean Scene. Weird, yet wonderful!
At the end of the plaza is the iconic Minghua Cruise Ship. This huge vessel houses restaurants and bars. To the right is Tequila Coyote’s. It is a good choice for Mexican food. They have authentic tacos al pastor and refreshing margaritas.
To the left of the cruise ship is another corridor of restaurants and bars. You can find hot pot, Japanese, and Mexican options. There are also bars like Havana. But it’s best to avoid those places if you just want a drink.
Near Tequila Coyote’s is BAIA Burger. This Western favorite serves huge messy burgers. Each has at least five toppings. They are expensive. But Monday to Thursday from 5:30 to 7pm, they are 2 for 1.
Walking around the right side of the ship you’ll discover another open area. It is surrounded by restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. There is a Costa Coffee and Haagen-Dazs ice cream. You can also find local favorites like Honeymoon Desserts. Try their mango, fruit, and durian desserts and drinks.
Old Street, a Sichuan restaurant on the second level above Costa, is tasty. Try the cold cucumber salad, green beans, Mapo tofu, and anything covered in chile oil and Sichuan peppercorns. It is spicy and delicious.
This section of Sea World has its own art installation, children’s play area and seating. It looks a little like the spine of a large animal. Again, weird yet wonderful.
The wooden walkway frames the pools behind the cruise ship. It is a key spot for people watching, especially in the evening. There are live fountain shows every half hour between 7pm and 9pm. The songs rotate each half hour. You might see multiple shows in a single evening.
The right side of the pools has high-end restaurants. These range from Italian to Chinese. They skew more expensive than neighboring restaurants. The best views of the fountain shows are from their outdoor seating.
Beyond here is another massive multi-level outdoor mall. There are many more restaurants and shops. You will find one kids’ store dedicated to carved wooden animals called ‘A Wooderful Life’.
Plaza of Ocean Scene offers a glimpse into Shenzhen’s soul. It is a place where East meets West. It is where the past paved the way for the future. Take a moment to soak it all in.