National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium Introduction
The National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium is located in Checheng Township, Pingtung County, covering an area of approximately 96.81 hectares. To reflect the atmosphere of a marine park, the main building's roof is designed in wave shapes, and it features an outdoor waterfront plaza as well as a life-sized model of a whale shark. The main facilities are divided into three major thematic halls: the Taiwan Waters Hall, the Coral Kingdom Hall, and the World Waters Hall, creating immersive close-up experiences. Each scene evokes the visitors' imagination of the underwater world. The Taiwan Waters Hall has twelve viewing points, centered around the theme of "The Journey of a Tiny Drop." The journey begins with a drop from the mountains, gathering melted snow, carrying soil and rock masses down swift mountain streams, eroding riverbeds, and gradually accumulating in the gentle downstream plains, leading into reservoirs, river mouths, intertidal zones, and finally into the sea. This not only helps visitors understand the diverse ecology from Taiwan's rivers to the ocean but also features touch pools where they can interact with starfish, sea urchins, sea hares, and crabs, as well as a glass display area for observing the graceful movements of whale sharks. The Coral Kingdom Hall, themed "Tropical Rainforest of the Ocean," welcomes visitors with beautiful live corals and tropical fish. They then slowly dive into an underwater tunnel within a man-made ocean. Walking through this 84-meter-long underwater tunnel, visitors can observe various beautiful coral reefs, schools of tropical fish, and adorable beluga whales, and even enter the bottom of a sunken ship, exploring between the deck and the cabins, revealing more marine life before their eyes. The World Waters Hall integrates various technologies, such as 3D animations, audiovisual equipment, giant environments, and physical exhibits of marine creatures, creating a comprehensive experience that leads visitors through four thematic scenes: ancient oceans, kelp forests, deep-sea waters, and polar waters, all through the interplay of virtual images and real creatures. The "Exploration Classroom" features interactive games designed around fossil legends, polar adventures, seaweed mazes, and time-traveling exploration vessels, sparking children's interest in marine life. Visiting the World Waters Hall is akin to embarking on a digital wonder journey.
