According to Guinness, the Hengqin Ocean Kingdom - which is referred everywhere else as the Chimelong Ocean Paradise holds 5 new records including the world's largest aquarium tank at 5.99M US gallons, and world's largest aqaurium at 12.87M gallons. Never even heard of this place until today. Whale sharks, mantas, sunfish, beluga, at least 2 dolphin species including Chinese white dolphin, etc What's odd to me, is that Ocean Voyager at Georgia Aquarium is supposedly 6.3M US gallons. And I'm curious - does anyone know why Shamu Stadium, at 7M gallons, hasn't been considered the largest aquarium? Because it's outdoors? Sea World San Diego/Orlando must be close to that 13M.
I suppose we'd have to figure out how Guinness World Records defines "aquarium" and "aquarium tank". Maybe it does only refer to indoor tanks.
For what it is worth, the exhibit firm responsible is in fact the same one that did Georgia Aquarium PGAV-Designed China Theme Park Sets FIVE Guinness Records - PGAV Destinations - Global Leaders in Planning and Design
Interesting, at least that means quality of the exhibits are probably high. I actually sent Guinness an email - doubt I'll get a response, but I'm just curious about this.
I have visit Chimelong Aquarium at last year when the whale shark is still not in display.The aquarium is OK and hold some quite interesting species.I would post some photos on zoochat next.
This is not the only aquarium in China promoting whale sharks, and building tanks for them, but not yet in possession of any.
Re-opening an old threat as I had wondered about this myself and finally got an answer (for people too lazy to read it, Guinness World Records are right and Chimelong's ocean tank is larger than Georgia's ocean tank): Giant fish tanks of the world