With all the sights to see, museums to visit, and bubble milk tea to drink, the last place you’re probably thinking of adding to your Taipei itinerary is an aquarium. However, if you have a bit of wiggle room or perhaps visiting Taiwan with kids, stopping by Taiwan’s mind-blowing XPark aquarium is a huge must!
Located just on the outskirts of Taipei, XPark Taiwan is an uber-cool attraction that definitely deserves a spot on your Taipei side trips list! What really makes this Taiwan aquarium so special is that it’s home to an astonishing collection of sea animals – from penguins and spotted seals to giant Japanese crabs, moon jellyfish, and much more!
To help you plan the perfect trip to Xpark Taiwan, here’s a quick guide mapping out everything you need to know about this aquarium in Taoyuan! This guide is jam-packed with handy tips, including how to get to Xpark, what to do, and much more!
Ready to dive into this detailed Xpark guide? Let’s go!
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How to get to XPark Taiwan
As already mentioned, Xpark is located in Taoyuan, roughly 37km from Taipei Main Station. Since the aquarium is a short stroll from the Taoyuan HSR Station, it’s one of the easiest Taiwan aquariums to access. (See on Google Maps here).
Getting to Xpark aquarium by HSR
The fastest way to get to Xpark from Taipei Main Station is to take the HSR (high-speed rail). The ride only takes 20 minutes and costs NT$160.
If you are traveling from elsewhere in Taiwan, it’s also best to take the HSR as you’ll be saving much traveling time. For example, we traveled from Hsinchu, which cost NT$130 and took 13 minutes in total! Grab an HSR ticket to Taoyuan here to skip the lines and guarantee a seat.
Just a heads up, Taiwan’s high-speed rail only runs along the island’s west coast. So, if you’re traveling from the east, you’ll need to take a local train to Taipei first. For more info, check out the Taiwan Railways website.
Klook.comGetting to Xpark via MRT
It’s also possible to access Xpark via the Airport MRT line. This is especially helpful if you’ve just arrived at Taoyuan Airport or have a few hours to spare on a layover. Take the Blue Airport Line (Commuter) at either terminal and ride five stops to Taoyuan HSR.
For those that want to take the MRT directly from Taipei, that’s also an option. However, you should know that it will take a lot longer for basically the same price. Simply take the Blue Airport Commuter Line headed to Huanbei Station at Taipei Main Station. Alight at Taoyuan HSR, which is also marked as A18. The ride takes about 1h10 and costs NT$150.
Xpark is roughly 500 meters from the HSR/ MRT stations, and it’s an easy 6-minute walk. First, you’ll need to walk through Gloria Outlets and walk toward the pedestrian bridge on Chunde Road. Then, turn right before the bridge and walk alongside the Shin Kong Cinemas building. Once you get to the back, you’ll see the signs to the entrance.
Xpark Aquarium Entrance Ticket & Opening Hours
Xpark is not the cheapest place to visit in Taiwan. However, it’s a fascinating place that will have you oohing and aahing around every corner! The massive three-story exhibition hall features interactive displays, beautifully composed music, and precious sea life, that seamlessly creates an immersive experience.
You can buy tickets on-site or snag them on KK Day at a discounted rate. The tickets go for NT$550 per adult and NT$250 for elementary kids and senior citizens.
Opening Hours: The aquarium is open from 10 am – 9 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 10 pm on weekends and holidays. The last admissions are one hour before closing, so make sure to allow ample time for your visit.
What to do and see at Xpark Taiwan
The aquarium covers a massive area and is filled with varied creatures no matter where you turn. Here’s a quick look at the most notable exhibitions.
Formosa: This area is home to a giant tank filled with some of the most incredible underwater treasures that grace Taiwan’s waters. Besides getting a closer look at rays, hammerhead sharks, and oodles of silver moonies, it’s a great spot to take photos.
Healing Jellyfish is a fascinating area and a surprising highlight of Xpark aquarium. The setting is absolutely magical, and you’re bound to be mesmerized by all the weird and wonderful jellyfish that come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Rainforest Adventure: The rainforest zone is a great place to get a close-up look at some really weird creatures in a unique tropical environment. Besides the cool visual displays and real-life settings, some highlights include tiny blue poisonous frogs and spotted river stingrays.
Freezing Zone: Just as the name suggests, the freezing zone is area housing animals that live in the most frigid temperatures. The star attraction here is the cute spotted seals who swim, play, and float in a 360-degree transparent tank. Don’t forget to bring a jacket along (even if you visit in summer), because it’s ice-cold here!
The Abyss of the sea is chock-full with mysterious and creepy creatures that live in the deepest waters. The entire zone is quite eerie and set in an ominous tunnel. Keep an eye out for the giant Japanese spider crabs that look like something straight out of a scary movie!
Interactive Zone: If you’re visiting the aquarium with kids, the Interactive Zone is a fun place where you can enjoy all kinds of activities. Drawing unique sea animals and learning more about ocean conservation are just some of the cool things to do here.
Other highlights include the Penguin Zone where you can see Magellanic penguins, the Coral Zone home to a wonderful collection of colorful fish and coral, and an outdoor area offering shows.
Tips for your visit
Please help maintain the safety of the animals by following the rules of the aquarium. While some rules are pretty standard, there are a couple worth mentioning.
- Don’t turn on your camera’s flashlight
- No selfie sticks or tripods are allowed
- Don’t tap on the display windows
Xpark Aquarium in Conclusion
After exploring all of the aquarium’s nooks and crannies, grab a bite or a cute penguin latte at the lovely little on-site cafe. Alternatively, head to the massive souvenir shop where you can buy everything from fluffy toys and souvenirs to clothing and local snacks!
Well, that wraps up this post on Xpark Taiwan. If you feel I’ve missed anything on this cool attraction near Taipei, please let me know in the comments below!
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