Ocean Park theme park in Hong Kong has opened its newest attraction, the Sea Jelly Spectacular, to the public.

Featuring more than 1,000 jellyfish, the attraction is one of South East Asia’s first stand-alone jellyfish exhibits.

The jellyfish are housed in a purpose-built 4,500sq ft (420sq m) aquarium which includes a 3,000sq ft (280sq m) viewing area equipped with theatrical lighting and multimedia sound and visual special effects to present the animals in their natural habitat.

Allan Zeman, Ocean Park’s chair, said: “This facility was designed and created entirely in-house.”

“We visited a number of aquariums around the world and after looking at specific marketable features we brainstormed the best ideas to develop this attraction.”

Sea Jelly Spectacular also includes a 1,500sq ft (140sq m) back of the house facility which will be used as a nursery to house the species which will be exhibited on a rotational basis and will be used by the park for breeding.

Other facilities at the new attraction include a restaurant and café, offering views of the South China Sea.

In January, the park announced that it is set to begin work on a HK$5.5bn (£400m, US$710m, 590m euro) redevelopment later this year.

The scheme is designed to turn the 28-year old park into the world’s leading marine-based theme park and will double the number of existing attractions.

The new Ocean Park will be split into two distinct areas, The Waterfront (formerly the Lowland) and The Summit (formerly the Headland).

The theme park opened in January 1977 as a non-profit organisation and since its inception has welcomed over 65 million visitors. Details: www.oceanpark.com.hk