Ocean 3D Movies & Dual Special Exhibitions: Keelung National Museum of Marine Science & Technology’s New Year Non-Closing Event Cheat Sheet

▲ Keelung National Museum of Marine Science & Technology. (Photo / Chen Tzu-yin, same below)

Reported by Li Tzu-yi / Taipei

The Keelung National Museum of Marine Science & Technology, once featured in The New York Times as one of the “52 Places to Go in 2014,” will remain open daily from the first to the seventh day of the Lunar New Year (Feb 8–14) in 2016, closing only on New Year’s Eve (Feb 7). Operating hours will be extended until 6 p.m., and tickets purchased before noon from the first to the fifth day of the New Year will be half price. The museum has lined up an exciting lineup of activities for the holiday season, including the all-Asia premiere of an IMAX 3D film, dual special exhibitions covering art and environmental themes, and DIY workshops. Why not visit the museum for a festive outing and a movie?

During the Lunar New Year, the museum’s Ocean Theater will premiere the all-Asia IMAX 3D film “Mysterious Oceans.” The film utilizes ultra-HD resolution and high-speed photography to showcase the lives of over 30 marine species across the Bahamas, Fiji, and Bimini Island. Starting Feb 8, it will be screened alternately with “Tyrannosaurus: Secrets of the Deep,” which was released earlier this year. For detailed screening times, please checkthe official website. The themed exhibition halls are also offering dual special exhibitions. “Magic Forest – The Indigenous Special Exhibition of Eastern Brews” features meticulously hand-drawn illustrations combined with computer graphics to create large-scale images of protected animals, displayed along the outer corridor of the Aquatic Products Hall. The “Wow ! Colorful Little Universe” Shell Exhibition is showcased in the first-floor special exhibition hall. In addition to learning about shellfish, visitors can also appreciate shell-inspired craft works, mythology, literature, and music, experiencing the artistic beauty of shells. There’s also a “Venus’ Scallop” DIY activity where children can mold shells and sea snails, enjoying a delightful journey into the world of shells.

From the first to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, visitors who purchase tickets before 12 p.m. can enjoy a half-price early-bird discount on full-price theme hall tickets (NT$100). The museum will also offer daily Jurassic DIY workshops, a festive “God of Wealth” red envelope giveaway, and outdoor dinosaur slides. To avoid traffic and parking hassles, visitors can take a train directly from Ruifang Railway Station to the museum’s station – the only museum in Taiwan accessible by direct train.

Details of Lunar New Year Activities:

1. God of Wealth Red Envelopes Bring Prosperity

Activity Content: During the Lunar New Year, the God of Wealth will distribute limited-edition New Year red envelopes around the museum grounds.
Time: First to fifth days of the New Year, two daily sessions at 11:00–11:30 and 14:00–14:30

2. Jurassic DIY Workshop

Activity Content: Make cute dinosaur keychains using air-dry clay (NT$99 each).
Time: First to fifth days of the New Year, two daily sessions at 13:30–14:30 and 15:00–16:00, 30 spots per session, sign-up begins half an hour before each session
Location: Briefing Room on 3F of Theme Hall, NMMSM (entry requires Theme Hall ticket)

3. Dinosaur Inflatable Slide

Time: Third to fifth days of the New Year10:00–17:30 (break from 12:00–13:00), unlimited rides on the day with your ocean theater ticket stub.
Price: NT$150 per person without an ocean theater ticket
Location: Square in front of Ocean Theater, NMMSM

4. Wow ! Colorful Little Universe Shell Exhibition

Location: Special Exhibition Hall on 1F, Theme Hall
Price: NT$80

5. Magic Forest – 2016 Eastern Brews Indigenous Special Exhibition

Location: Corridor outside the Aquatic Products Hall on 5F, Theme Hall
Price: Entry requires purchase of Theme Hall ticket

National Museum of Marine Science and Technology

Address: No. 367, Beining Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City
Phone: (02)2469-0731
Hours: Open throughout winter vacation from January 21 to February 15; closed on February 7 (Sunday), Chinese New Year's Eve; extended hours from February 8 to February 14 until 18:00