National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium

National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium

The National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, abbreviated as the Marine Museum, is located in Checheng Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, at the coastal area at the foot of Guishan Mountain in the northwest corner of Kenting National Park. It is a large-scale museum themed around marine life. The museum covers an area of approximately 96.81 hectares. Its planning began in 1991, and it opened to the public on February 25, 2000. Its public infrastructure project was awarded the top prize in the “2001 Outstanding Civil Engineering Project of the United States” by the American Council of Engineering Companies.

The wave-like roof of the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium complements the mountain and sea scenery, symbolizing the spirit of water. The suspended marine life models in the 21-meter-high atrium, representing a welcome to the ocean, further enhance the venue’s strong maritime ambiance. The main facilities of the museum can be divided into three exhibition halls: the Taiwan Waters Hall, the Coral Kingdom Hall, and the World of Water. The Taiwan Waters Hall includes 15 thematic displays such as the entrance waterfall area, alpine streams, riverside streams, reservoirs, midstream rivers, estuaries, oyster farming areas, rocky intertidal zones, touch pools, children’s balcony, and coral reef valleys. These exhibits simulate Taiwan's mainland and surrounding aquatic ecosystems from small streams to oceans, and from freshwater to open seas. The Coral Kingdom Hall centers on the vibrant tropical coral reef ecosystems of the South China Sea, showcasing various stony and soft coral habitats and the rich diversity of reef fish in the waters around Taiwan. The colorful and dazzling displays offer visitors an eye-opening experience.

NationalMuseumofMarineBiologyandAquarium

Must-visit reason: One of Taiwan’s most popular museums

Address: No. 2, Houwan Road, Houwan Village, Checheng Township, Pingtung County

Type: Aquarium Museum

Recommended visiting time: 1–3 hours

Phone: +886-8-8825678

Official website: http://www.nmmba.gov.tw/index.aspx

Opening hours:

Summer (April–June and September–October): 9:00–18:00; Summer vacation (July–August): 8:00–18:00; Winter (January–March and November–December): 9:00–17:00; Lunar New Year's Eve: 9:00–17:00; Lunar New Year: 8:00–18:00. Ticket sales stop one hour before closing.

Ticket information:

Full price: NT$450; Students aged 6 years or above / taller than 115 cm: NT$250; Seniors (65 years and above): NT$225; Children under 6 years or shorter than 115 cm: Free.