With so many amazing sights to see, museums to visit, and bubble milk tea spots to explore, visiting an aquarium might not be the first thing on your Taipei itinerary. But, if you extra time, or visiting Taiwan with kids, XPark Aquarium in Taoyuan is a must-see!
Located just 20 minutes by high-speed train from Taipei Main Station, XPark is an uber-cool attraction that definitely deserves a spot on your Taipei side trips list! It’s home to an incredible variety of sea animals – think penguins, spotted seals, giant Japanese crabs, moon jellyfish, and so much more!
If you’re keen to visit, here’s a quick guide covering everything you need to know about my favorite aquarium in Taiwan—from how to get there and what to see, to insider tips for making the most of your trip!
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How to Get to XPark Taoyuan
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 there 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 TWD 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 TWD 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 there by 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 TWD 150.
The aquarium 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
I’ll be honest with you, Xpark is not the cheapest place to visit in Taiwan. But, it’s totally awesome and I can almost guarantee that you’ll love it just as much as I do! It features a massive three-story exhibition hall filled with interactive displays, beautifully composed music, and precious sea life, creating a truly immersive experience.
You can buy tickets online in advance or at the door. Tickets cost TWD 600 per adult and TWD 270 for elementary kids and senior citizens.
Opening Hours: The aquarium is open from 10 am – 6 pm from Sunday to Friday, and 10 am to 8 pm on Saturdays. The last admission is one hour before closing, so make sure to allow ample time for your visit.
XPark Highlights: What to See & Do
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 this 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. On our visit the outdoor area was not open, but I’m keen to check it out on my next visit.
After you’ve checked out all the exhibits, there’s a lovely little cafe where you can grab a bite or a cute penguin latte. Plus, a cool souvenir shop where you can buy stuffed toys, cute mementoes, clothing and even snacks!
Tips for Visiting
XPark is huge, and you can easily spend a couple of hours exploring all its sections. Allow yourself at least 3-4 hours on your visit. If you want to check out one of the shows, it’s a good idea to check the schedule in advance so you don’t miss out.
Like most popular attractions in Taiwan, it’s better to visit during off-peak hours as these places usually get super busy on weekends and holidays. The aquarium also has some safety rules, and while I think most of them are pretty standard, here are a few things you should know beforehand:
- You can’t use your camera’s flashlight anywhere inside the aquarium. Remember to change your settings to avoid disturbing the animals.
- Selfie sticks and tripods are not permitted, so best to leave them at home.
- While seeing these cool marine animals up close is truly mesmerizing, please don’t tap on the windows. It just stresses out the animals!
Well there you have it – my quick guide to Xpark in Taoyuan! If you’ve been, let me know what you liked about it in the comments below!
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