Despite being located within the grounds of the Beijing Zoo, the Beijing Aquarium couldn’t be more different. No expense was spared during the Aquarium’s 1999 overhaul, and the conch shell-shaped building has several impressive themed areas, quality souvenirs and an enormous marine theatre that seats 3,000 people. Professional dolphin and sea lion shows take place daily at 11am and 3pm and visitors get a chance to take photos of the animals up close afterwards. Packing in 18,000 tons of artificial saltwater, the rest of the centre features hundreds of different marine wildlife, from rare Chinese sturgeon to sharks, plus a few you’ll be amazed by – look out for the incredible dolphin-sized Amazonian Arapaima fish.