National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium

　　The National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, abbreviated as the Marine Museum, is situated in Checheng Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, on the coastal area at the foothill 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, was planned since 1991, and officially opened on February 25, 2000. Its public works project was awarded the “Outstanding Civil Engineering Project of the Year 2001” grand prize by the American Council of Engineering Companies.

　　The undulating roof of the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium complements the mountain and sea scenery, symbolizing the spirit of water. A model of a marine creature, suspended in the 21-meter-high atrium, represents guiding visitors toward the ocean, further enriching the museum’s maritime atmosphere. The main facilities inside the museum are divided into three exhibition halls: the Taiwan Waters Pavilion, the Coral Kingdom Pavilion, and the World of Water Pavilion. The Taiwan Waters Pavilion includes 15 themed exhibits such as the entrance waterfall area, alpine streams, riverside creeks, reservoirs, midstream rivers, estuaries, oyster farming areas, rocky intertidal zones, touch pools, children’s balconies, and coral reef valleys. These displays simulate the ecological environments of Taiwan and its surrounding waters—from drops of water to oceans, from freshwater to open seas. The Coral Kingdom Pavilion focuses on the vibrant tropical coral reef ecosystems of the South China Sea, showcasing a rich variety of hard and soft corals found in Taiwanese waters, along with the colorful reef fish that inhabit them. The exhibits are dazzling and captivating, offering visitors an eye-opening experience.

　　National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium

　　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, September, October): 9:00–18:00; Summer vacation (July, August): 8:00–18:00; Winter (January–March, 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 and above / over 115 cm tall: NT$250; Seniors (65+): NT$225; Children under 6 or under 115 cm tall: Free.