JOURNEY THROUGH THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE
The National Museum of Natural Science is a must-visit for enthusiasts of history and nature alike. With a staggering average of three million visitors annually, it stands proudly as Taiwan’s premier natural history museum, and is only surpassed by the National Palace Museum in Taipei in terms of yearly visitors.
Sprawling over 89,000 square meters (nearly 22 acres), the National Museum of Natural Sciences is host to a rich tapestry of knowledge, segmented into six intriguing sections. Whether you’re keen to embark on an astronomical journey at the Space IMAX Theater where films and images of the sky and planetary system are projected onto a dome-shaped screen, or dive deep into the evolution of life at the Life Sciences Hall, there’s something here for every curious soul.
In addition to the abovementioned Space IMAX Theatre and Life Sciences Hall, the museum’s other sections include the Science Center, the Human Cultures Hall, and the Global Environment Hall, all of which are equally as educational and as exciting.
Throughout these sections, more than 30 captivating permanent exhibits are on display encompassing the realms of astronomy, paleontology, geology, Taiwanese indigenous peoples, and Taiwan’s local ecology, and also hosts special exhibitions.
The “The Culture of Taiwan Austronesian” exhibition in the Human Cultures Hall is especially recommended as Taiwan is considered the origin of the Austronesian diaspora, which includes ethnic groups now residing as far away as Hawaii, New Zealand and even Madagascar. On a modern note, “The World of Semiconductor” exhibition in the Science Center pays tribute to Taiwan’s most important high-tech industry.
In terms of the natural world, the Earth Environment Hall features a rich tableau of themes, from microscopic wonders to the vast, diverse ecology of Taiwan. Outside, the 11-acre Botanical Garden displays over 800 species of plants. Divided into two areas, the garden is split into a lowland vegetation area and a tropical rainforest greenhouse.
But the museum’s exhibitions also take on a global scale: at the Life Sciences Hall, the enigmatic wonders of nature come to life, unraveling the dynamic evolution of our planet, while at the Global Environmental Hall the Environmental Sustainability Classrooms and The Naturalist Center offer interactive activities educating on issues the world is currently facing. Other less serious exhibits here include, “The Evolution of Life”, “The Age of Dinosaurs”, “The Story of Man” and “The Journey of Human Life” among others.
As a top destination in Taichung, The National Museum of Natural Science isn’t just a museum; it’s a journey through time, nature, and the marvels of human ingenuity. For information on upcoming events and exhibitions, visit The National Museum of Natural Science’s official website.
