An aquarium in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has opened to visitors recently.

The aquarium, the first of its kind in northwest China, covers more than 3,000 square meters and has an exhibition space of over 1,500 square meters.

The aquarium now houses more than 400 varieties of marine species.

The developer of the aquarium plans, within the next two years, to hold performances by sea lions and seals to entertain local residents and tourists. Urumqi is possibly the city furthermost from the sea in the world.

An exhibition hall for local aquatic animals will also be built in the near future.

(Xinhua 05/15/2001)