St. Louis, US-based PGAV Destinations has won contracts to undertake the planning and design of Zhuhai Ocean World and the expansion of the Terracotta Warriors Museum, both in China.

The Ocean World project is being developed by the Chimelong Group - which operates theme parks, animal safari parks, waterparks, and hotels in Guangzhou's Panyu district - as part of its Hengqin Island Development. When completed it will become the largest ocean park in Asia.

The development itself is a family based tourist destination designed to complement neighbouring Macau, reported to draw more than 22 million visitors a year. It includes Ocean World, an animal safari, other entertainment venues, destination retail outlets and hotels.

PGAV Destinations' brief at Xian's Terracotta Warriors Museum is to provide architectural, interpretive, retail, and food service design. The site is being expanded with state-of-the-art amenities, to include a film-based attraction on the history of the site, interpretive exhibits, an educational museum store, and specialised food service.

The museum complex houses the famous Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. The terracotta figures, dating from 210 BC, were discovered in 1974 and vary in height according to their role, the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians.

It is estimated that the pits where the figures were found contain more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried.