Coral Museum of the Universe Introduction
The white building nestled in the alley is a small family-run museum that records the glory of Taiwan's coral and preserves the cultural history of coral in Nanfangao. The coral industry in Nanfangao was once one of the most brilliant pages in the global history of the coral industry. Due to the rare precious coral found in the waters around Taiwan, the corals produced here are of exceptionally fine quality, rich in color, and have the highest production in the world. Thus, Nanfangao plays a crucial role in the entire ecological system of the coral industry, becoming the main distribution center for coral across Taiwan. At the peak of Taiwan's coral industry, there were more than 400 boats harvesting coral in Nanfangao, indicating the scale of its prosperity at that time; today, only about 50 boats remain, highlighting the rapid decline of the coral industry. Observing this rise and fall, Lai Rongxing was determined to preserve coral and record its history for future generations of Taiwan, thus transforming his home into the "Coral Realm Museum." This museum showcases many fascinating coral works and allows visitors to feel the warmth of local culture and humanity in Nanfangao. The museum consists of three floors: the first floor is the coral cafe where guests are welcomed and a gift shop; the second floor is a cultural space dedicated to precious coral, offering in-depth introductions to Nanfangao's culture, the coral industry, and the ecology and classification of precious coral; the third floor is dedicated to the Coral Art Museum, which mainly exhibits decades of the director's finely carved coral creations, worth detailed appreciation. It is recommended that those who love coral spend at least half an hour there, guided by professional explanations on a tour of the era of Nanfangao coral! [Reminder] Guided tours are available for ticket holders. Groups are encouraged to make reservations a week in advance for professional guided services.
