Taichung Aquarium to open in late August

台中海洋館將於八月底開幕

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taichung City Tourism Bureau announced Monday that the Taichung Aquarium will officially open to the public on Aug. 21.

The facility is the first aquarium in central Taiwan and is seen as a key landmark connecting major coastal attractions. However, the project has faced years of setbacks, with planning and design beginning in 2012, per UDN.

The development spanned the administrations of three Taichung mayors. Current Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) signed a contract with a private organization in 2019 to accelerate construction early in her term.

Although construction was completed two years ago, the aquarium remained closed, drawing public concern. Taichung City Council Speaker Chang Ching-chao (張清照) said many residents have been looking forward to its opening for more than a decade.

Chang said he has followed the project closely over the years and acknowledged its many challenges. He expressed hope that the long-awaited aquarium would soon become a vital asset for central Taiwan.

Taichung City Tourism Bureau Director Chen Mei-hsiu (陳美秀) said the facility will be integrated with nearby recreational areas such as Wuqi Fishermen’s Wharf, Taichung Port Mitsui Outlet Park, Gaomei Wetlands, and Dajia Jenn Lan Temple to form a coastal tourism belt that will attract further private investment.

According to the bureau, this is the country’s first marine aquarium exhibition and education center to be planned, built, and operated by a local government. The city adopted an operate-transfer model, selecting a private operator through a bidding process to manage the site.

Details about the grand opening, including ticket pricing and promotional offers, will be announced on the company’s official website on Aug. 8.

The bureau said both the aquarium and nearby Wuqi Fishermen’s Wharf are easily accessible and offer strong potential for future tourism development. It also plans to host outdoor concerts and other events to boost public interest.