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Travel: Noah's Ark Theme Park in Hong Kong

By Joshua Lee May 21, 2016

The Noah's Ark theme park opened in Hong Kong in 2009. The park is beautifully located under the Tsing Ma Bridge on Ma Wan Island and is right next to family friendly Tung Wan Beach. Noah's Ark joins Ocean Park on Hong Kong Island and Disneyland on Lantau Island as Hong Kong's major amusement attractions.  While the park is still expanding with new attractions (check out the Solar Tower), Ma Wan Island itself, and the ark museum, sports and conference facilities, restaurants, the bridge, and the natural garden areas, definitely make for a fun visit.  


The park's center-piece is, of-course, the world's first full-size simulation of Noah's Ark.  Coming from the ark are sculptures of life-size pairs of exotic animals, birds and creatures. The ark is, in fact, a multi-story building where visitors may book a stay in either a hotel or a youth hostel located on the top floor.  We were told the ark measures 450 feet long and 5 stories high. Its sides look like big brown planks of wood. It isn't as big as a modern big ship, but it looms over the adjacent white sand beach in a very impressive manner (and definitely worth a photo opportunity with the family).  All together, the island, the various facilities, and the restaurants would make for a great day trip for kids and families.

 

Inside Noah's Ark, the main attraction is a multimedia experience, including a 180-degree wide-screen theater. The multimedia experience begins with an introduction to the Biblical context, followed by a simulation of what it might have felt like to be inside the ark during the start of the flood.  Our kids (ranging from ages 2 to 6) loved it.  I, too, enjoyed the simulator, and had a really good opportunity to bridge what we read from the Bible to the historical proofs that can be found in the museum (and expedition) section of the ark.  


After visiting the main attractions, our family still had the time to enjoy the park and beach areas surrounding the theme park.  Within the park is a nature garden alongside the existing natural landscape, where native trees have been preserved along the terraced paths. The park features obstacle courses  designed for young children to climb and simply be a kid.  Our family also loved the beachside areas as there were many good restaurants and cafes nearby (we had a tasty afternoon tea snack), and the kids got to play on the beach for the remainder of the day.  (As as a special and unplanned bonus, it started raining heavily suddenly, which made me joke we should all run inside the ark again...)


Below are some other areas we would definitely highlight and recommend:

 

Kids Areas

  • The Ark Life Education House (first floor) is a place for kids to learn about life goals and society.  There are interactive multimedia equipment and games.
  • Treasure House (second floor) is meant for young children and young teenagers.

 

Shops

There are three shops in the Ark that are operated by different Christian organizations. You can buy some very well-thought out souvenirs, gifts or things to take home.

  • Rainbow Gallery is run by a non-profit organization. They sell gifts produced by disabled and disadvantaged people.
  • Kid's Deck is sponsored by Angela Luk's Educational Foundation, and has awesome educational-type toys.
  • Marvels is sponsored by Media Evangelism Ltd, and sells the more traditional souvenirs and gifts.

 

Sports and Conference Facilities

The upper floors have a small hotel, dormitory rooms, conference facilities, and meeting rooms. The hotel is partly sponsored by Hong Kong YMCA.  While we didn't get to visit these areas, we were told that the hotel can host small and medium-sized international conferences and meetings.  It is very close to Hong Kong International Airport on nearby Lantau Island, which also has great natural recreation and hiking, Disneyland, and tourist spots.

 

There is a basketball and sports court directly under the Tsing Ma Bridge. The bridge shields it from rain. High Adventure Journey is a rope course that is about two or three stories high for exercise and adventure. The sports stadium seats about 2,000+.  Use of these facilities is by registration, but just viewing the course made me want to come back and try it myself!

 


Transportation

         Generally, the best way to go is by bus from the Tsing Yi MTR station or by ferry.

  • Bus from Tsing Yi Airport Railway Station leaves every 8 minutes or so. The bus stop is conveniently located right in front of Exit C. It is about ten meters in front of the door. The fare is about $9.50 HKD ($1.20 USD). The trip takes about 10 minutes.
  • What is cool about the bus trip is that you can see the view of the channel and the mountains from Tsing Ma Bridge. Get off at the first stop and get into the escalator building. It is air conditioned and is like a 5-star hotel lobby.
  • Ferry from Tsuen Wan costs 10 HKD (5 for kids under 12). Ferry from Central Pier 2 costs 22 HKD (11 HKD for kids under 12). The ferry pier is near the IFC Mall on Victoria Harbor.
  • The airport shuttle takes about 12 minutes to go to the park. The inbound flights let passengers off at Terminal 1. Go over to Terminal 2 next door. When you walk in, turn right and the bus stop is at Bus Bay 19-24. The fare is 24 HKD (3.12 USD).
  • Address in English and Chinese for a driver: 33 Pak Yan Road, Ma Wan Island, Hong Kong. 

 

Hours and Prices

  • Ticket price for adults is about $168 HKD ($22 USD), children/seniors $138 HKD ($18 USD). You can buy tickets at the theme park, or online.
  • Hours: Monday, Friday, Saturday: 1 pm - 6 pm (ticket entrance closes at 5 pm). In the mornings, registered groups might use the park facilities. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, and public holidays: 8 am - 6 pm.