World-class architects at the helm: Keelung’s National Museum of Marine Science & Technology to unveil a $1.5 billion “giant aquarium”

▲The museum, renovated from the former North Thermal Power Plant and opened earlier this year, will soon welcome the new “Marine Ecology Pavilion” aquarium. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)

Reported by Chen Ziying / Taipei

The Keelung-based “National Museum of Marine Science & Technology,” which opened earlier this year, was highlighted in The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2014” as a must-visit destination in Taiwan. The Qingyang Marine Enterprise Co., which operates the museum, announced at a press conference today that another major project under the museum—the “Marine Ecology Pavilion,” also known as the aquarium—is now in active planning and is set to start construction this year, with completion expected in 2017.

 
 
▲The museum’s interactive, educational, and engaging themed exhibits are especially popular among children. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)

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Chen Weilang, CEO of Qingfu Group’s Qingyang Marine Enterprise, stated that the company carries on the deep-rooted philosophy of marine education from his grandfather, who was a fisherman. He believes the experience gained in southern Taiwan should be replicated in Keelung, contributing to ocean conservation and giving back to society. Regarding the aquarium project, while the original government budget was NT$800 million, the Qingfu Group has increased it to NT$1.5 billion, aiming to bring out the best in this ecologically and culturally meaningful aquarium. Chen further explained that the project has enlisted the world-renowned architect Norman Foster—winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize—to lead the design. The aquarium will feature massive display tanks to showcase the depth, mystery, and biodiversity of the ocean, and will exhibit over 300 species of marine life native to Taiwan.

On the operation of the museum, Chen Weilang noted that it has the mission of boosting tourism and prosperity in the Badouzi area. Dr. Wu Junren, director of the museum, added that Keelung is a port city surrounded by both mountains and sea, and the Badouzi area is located on a peninsula hillside near the bay. Like the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Pingtung, it shares the goal of promoting education and marine ecology, but the Keelung museum places greater emphasis on understanding the overall marine environment. In addition to its indoor themed exhibits, the six ecological trails outside the museum offer visitors deeper insights into marine ecosystems. Dr. Wu also hopes that, thanks to the museum’s central location, tourist routes can be extended to nearby bays, and even connected to areas like Jiufen and Pingxi.

In terms of transportation access, aside from the existing scenic railway branch line from Ruifang to the museum—widely regarded as the most beautiful railway branch in Taiwan (the Shen’ao Line)—starting in mid-July, the line will be extended westward to Jing Tong Station, passing through stations such as Shifen and Pingxi, making travel between the two areas much more convenient. The government is also planning a bike path in Badouzi, stretching from Heping Island, National Taiwan Ocean University, and Bisha Fishing Port all the way to the museum, with the overall preliminary plan expected to be completed this year. As for visitor numbers, Chen Weilang said the target for 2014 is 1.2 million, and once the aquarium is completed, annual visitors could reach up to 3 million.


▲Dr. Wu Junren, director of the museum (left), and Chen Weilang, CEO of Qingyang Marine Enterprise (right). (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)