Livin’ in The Chonx

Hai Yang Guan 海洋公园
• Admission 30 RMB/adult, 20 RMB/child; Open during the summer (June-August) 10:00am-6:00pm; open later during July

Built in 2000, this was the first inland ocean park to be constructed in China. It seems to be a waterpark plus aquarium rolled into one, complete with swimming pools and waterslides and saltwater exhibits of marine life. According to a couple sources (I would have to see it to believe it) there are even dolphins. It seems to be more a waterpark than aquarium though as most of the information available refers to swimming. So if you are more interested in marine life than swimming consider going to the Underwater World near Nanbin Road.

Bus Tip: 海洋公园(北城天街) or 渝北 (the stop, not the district) + a 5 RMB taxi

(Jin Yuan Fang Te) Ke Gou Gong Yuan (金源方特)科幻公园
• Admission 110 RMB (group discounts are available; ex. for groups of 20 or more it is 88 RMB/person); 10:00am-7:30pm (open earlier on weekends and longer during holidays)

With areas like Galaxy Plaza, Dino-Rampage, and Floating Sphere 4-D (4-D???) Theatre this Sci-Fi theme-park is somewhat reminiscent of Disney’s Epcot Center. The price of tickets—which are exorbitantly high by local standards—suggests that the place must be very special indeed. Check out the official website available in both Chinese and English, a map and more detailed directions are available too.

Bus Tip: 金砂水岸(北滨一路) or 观音桥 + 5 RMB taxi

Hua Hui Yuan 花卉园
•    Admission 3 RMB

This park has a small lake near the front where you can rent a small boat and drift about on the water.  Or take a stroll towards the back of the park and up the winding paths beneath the shade of hundreds of red maples.  Or turn the corner and find yourself next to a sea of tulips in shocking red and purple and yellow.

Bus Tip: 松树桥(花卉园)