Haichang Ocean Park Offers Free Admission to Families with Autistic Children in April

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: A charity run on Saturday marks the start of the monthlong initiative.

Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park's annual public welfare month this year offers free admission to families with autistic children from April 1 to 30.

A monthly card with relevant certification allows unlimited entry for the cardholder and up to two immediate family members throughout the month.

On Saturday, AFC Women's Asian Cup champion Li Jiayue; Wang Yihan, former badminton world champion; 500 autistic families; and visitors ran side by side at the park to launch the monthlong initiative.

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: A night parade at the park

An art exhibition that opened simultaneously showcased works created by autistic children.

The Rare Ocean Festival features 100,000 marine creatures while hosting natural science classrooms and 16 new rare ocean shows.

Visitors will be able to admire 20 rare marine species for the first time, including the sea hare, which feeds exclusively on seabed debris, and the reef stonefish, one of the most venomous fish in the ocean.

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: Interaction with stilt performers

Ocean-themed parades feature giant stilt walkers. At night, the 10-meter-tall polar bear mecha parade creates a spectacular, immersive atmosphere for interactions.

The international light show "Painting the Realm with Light" premieres, using icebergs as a canvas and blending real marine life footage and polar ecosystem visuals.

To celebrate the upcoming three-day Qingming Festival holiday that starts from April 4, the park will extend evening operations between April 1 and 6, staying open until 8:30pm. Drone and fireworks shows will be held from April 3 to 5, adding extra spectacle for holiday visitors.