PGAV-Designed China Theme Park Sets FIVE Guinness Records
New Chimelong Henquin Ocean Kingdom in Zuhai Shows off BIG Attractions
(St. Louis, MO – April 8, 2014) – With its official inauguration ceremony on March 29, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom was awarded five Guinness World Records:
- World’s Largest Aquarium
- World’s Largest Aquarium Tank
- World’s Largest Underwater Viewing Dome
- World’s Largest Aquarium Window
- World’s Largest Acrylic Panel
St. Louis-based consulting and design firm PGAV Destinations served as the product strategist, master planner, lead design consultant, and lead designer of the 125-acre (50 ha.) attraction on Henquin Island near Macao. Ocean Kingdom took three years to construct, and features seven unique areas, each themed around a different part of the world’s waterways.
“[Ocean Kingdom] is world-class, delivering well-planned guest experience, focusing on comfort and the quality of the experience,” says Al Cross, PGAV Destinations VP and project lead. “It has a really unique approach that blurs the lines between thrilling rides, great shows, and amazing animals – in fact, it’s one of the best efforts in Asia to create viewing interactions between people and animals.”
Ocean Kingdom is home to thousands of animals and boasts numerous rides, attractions, retail, and dining. More projects will come online at the park throughout 2014.
“Breaking any world record is amazing, but to become the world’s largest aquarium requires phenomenal creative vision and immense engineering efforts,” says Rowan Simons, president of Guinness World Records Greater China. “The result is an incredible attraction experience and Guinness World Records is delighted to recognize the five specific world-beating achievements that make it so special.”
The brand new theme park boasts Asia’s first winged coaster, Flying over the Rainforest, and numerous other incredible attractions such as the massive and immersive digital manta ray entry tunnel; the towering whale shark sculpture at the center of Ocean Park; and a wholly unique attraction which combines a roller coaster and a live polar bear exhibit.
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom serves as PGAV Destination’s first full theme park design in Asia, having previously master-planned and designed the Grand Aquarium at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park and an attraction at the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses in Xi’an, China. PGAV Destinations is also the master planner and designer of the world’s third-largest aquarium, The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, GA.
About PGAV Destinations
PGAV Destinations is a global leader in the planning and design of unique destinations. Now in its fifth decade, the practice has evolved to become the ideal destination-consulting partner, skilled at developing growth-oriented master plans and translating those plans into successful projects. No other firm offers such an integrated approach to destination planning.
PGAV’s key clients include industry leaders such as Delaware North Companies, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, the Biltmore Companies, Bass Pro Shops, Ameristar Casinos, Universal Studios, The Gettysburg Foundation, the St. Louis Zoo, and many others. Recent assignments include planning and design at many of the world’s “must see” destinations, including the Grand Canyon, Biltmore Estate, Space Shuttle Atlantis, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, the Georgia Aquarium, the Hoover Dam, and SeaWorld Adventure Parks. www.PGAVDestinations.com
About Guangdong Chimelong Group Co. Ltd.
As one of China’s most excellent, large enterprise groups and Guangdong Province’s leading enterprise in tourism industry, Guangdong Chimelong Group Co. Ltd. dedicates all efforts to creating world-class tourist resorts, which are specialized in theme parks, luxury hotels, business conventions, high-end restaurants, and leisure entertainment. Chimelong Group currently manages two large resort areas, Guangzhou Chimelong and Zhuhai Chimelong.
In summer 2010, Guangdong Chimelong Group was awarded the “2010 Top 10 New Cantonese Business” and the “2008-2009 Guangdong Top 100 Private Enterprise.” Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort was awarded as one of China’s first group of 5A National Tourist Areas.
http://www.chimelong.com/engroup/index.shtml
