As one of the most popular aquariums in Taiwan, Xpark Aquarium is the best place to admire playful penguins, majestic jellyfish, and super chubby seals, as well as over 300 more species spread out across 3 different climates! With so much to explore, here’s a helpful guide on the bits you can’t miss, plus how to get to Xpark Taoyuan.
What is Xpark Taiwan?
Did you know that Xpark Taoyuan is actually a remake of an Xpark Aquarium in Japan? Yep, opened in Summer 2020 to much fanfare, Xpark Taiwan is the first overseas venture for Japanese conglomerate Yokohama Hakkeijima (the owners of the Xpark brand). Xpark Taiwan is also co-owned by Cathay Life Insurance, hence the special flags flapping outside the aquarium.
Though this is the first aquarium partnership between these two companies, with plenty of backing and success stories behind each company it’s clear that Xpark Taiwan is in good hands.
But don’t just take my analytical business-minded word for it – come and see it for yourself!
Where is Xpark Aquarium?
Connected to the 5-star Cozzi Blu Hotel and Landmark Plaza (a Shin Kong Cinema and mall complex), Xpark Aquarum, Taoyuan’s newest (and only) aquarium, is very centrally located. It’s is also within a short walking distance from the Taoyuan HSR Station and MRT station.
Xpark Aquarium is also just opposite from Gloria Outlets – Taiwan’s first US-style open-air outlet mall!
What to see at Xpark Aquarium?
Covering over 13 different areas and multiple floors, there is plenty to see at Xpark Aquarium Taoyuan. However, it can get fairly busy inside. If you’re in a rush and wondering what you absolutely can’t miss, here are my personal highlights and recommendations for Xpark Taoyuan.
Jellies (Jellyfish)
With the intense soundtrack, one could almost mistake this exhibition hall for a dramatic art performance. Thankfully, not so. Here in the ‘Healing Jellyfish’ area, you are advised to dance with the jellyfish, and watch as the transparent beings change color with the disco lights.
A truly mesmerising experience, this exhibition area also informs the visitor about this interesting creature’s birth with the ‘Jellyfish Lab’. From eggs to jellies, visit a row of containers filled with little baby jellyfish of different kinds and sizes!
The perfect place to relax and learn, the Healing Jellyfish hall has it all. Don’t forget to take some awesome pictures of it to – here’s a taste of what you can expect!
Super Cute Penguins
One of the highlights in Xpark is definitely the penguin enclosure. Home to South American Magellanic penguins and King penguins, this is a pretty chirpy environment to enter.
Watch with anticipation as one brave penguin ventures across the transparent channel above your head to slide into the pool opposite. There’s also some special pipes leading these cute little creatures into the Xpark Cafe, but more on that later!
Underwater Creepy Crawlies
Explore the deep with ‘Abyss of the sea’ (I’m not making the names up, this is legitimately what the gallery is called) at Xpark Aquarium Taoyuan, and learn how these creatures survive with little to no light, plus what skills they need to flourish in this habitat.
That big one on the left looking familiar? It’s a relative of the giant isopod that was recently trending in Taiwan for being the star topping for a ramen restaurant.
🐟Native Formosan Species🐟
There are a wealth of species that are endemic to Taiwan thanks to its tropical and subtropical climate. Explore the rich variety of life in the rivers and lakes on the main island, as well as Taiwan’s surrounding waters in this first exhibition of Xpark Aquarium.
Visitors to this area will be confronted with a huge transparent glass wall, inside which teems an array of fish, sharks, stingrays,… basically your classic aquatic aquarium friends.
🪸Stunning Corals🪸
With a 180° transparent surface spanning across the room, visitors can explore the wonders of coral reefs and the life reliant on them. Search for crabs and dory fish among the anemones, and marvel at the vibrant colors of the coral, accentuated by the projections on the floor.
🦭Playful Seals🦭
The seals – yes, plural – are located in the ‘Freezing Zone’ of Xpark Aquarium. With a 360° tunnel for prime viewing access, watch as the cutest chubby seals you’ve even seen somersault and swim right past you.
I forgot to take a picture because it was so entrancing – and there were a lot of people – so all the more reason to go and explore Xpark Aquarium so you can see it for yourself!
What to eat at Xpark?
Even if you’re not hungry, be sure to make a trip downstairs to ‘Xcafe by PRONTO’, an enormous cafe on the first floor of Xpark Taoyuan. Here, visitors can watch penguins whizzing around in transparent pipes while tasting delicious French pastries
There are other things on the menu too, like a pasta, salads, and sandwiches, but this was definitely the highlight of the food choices for me.
How much is the Xpark entrance fee?
How to go to Xpark Taoyuan? And how much is the Xpark entrance fee? Though interesting places to visit in Taiwan are generally quite cheap, especially if you’re visiting Taoyuan tourism factories and cake museums, Xpark Aquarium is an exception.
Below is a table of the Xpark entrance fee. Please note that Xpark entrance fee prices may differ slightly on public holidays.
| Ticket Type | Price | Details |
| Adult | $550 | Anyone above the age of 18yrs. |
| Student | $400 | Students above the age of 12yrs, with proof of Student ID. |
| Children | $250 | Children aged 4yrs to 12yrs. |
| Concessions | $250 | Disabled persons and 1 accompanying person; Individuals who are pregnant; Seniors aged 65yrs and above. |
✨Tip!✨
While Xpark tickets can be booked on the day, I would really recommend prebooking online at Kkday as tickets are limited for every morning and afternoon slot.How to go to Xpark Taoyuan?
Getting to Xpark Taiwan is ridiculously easy, with the Taoyuan HSR and MRT station right nearby. There’s also Taoyuan HSR bus station, as well as a taxi rank, in the event that you prefer public forms of road transport. Xpark Aquarium and Gloria Outlets both have ample parking, so motorists are welcome too.
| Address: | No.105, Chunde Street, Zhongli District, Taoyuan 320 [Google Maps] |
| Open hours | 10am to 8pm, Mon to Sun |
| Transport: | HSR (High Speed Rail) – Taoyuan Station; Bus – Taoyuan HSR Station; MRT (Metro) – A18 Taoyuan HSR Station. |
Visiting Xpark Aquarium Taoyuan is made even easier with this exclusive offer from Kkday:
The price of 1x night at COZZI Blu & HSR Ticket (return trip) for just $2,455!
COZZI Blu (pronounced as cosy) is a modern and relaxing 5-star hotel that is connected to not just onw, but two shopping malls (Landmark Plaza and Gloria Outlets). With a cinema complex beside the hotel and the aquarium, there’s never been a better place to stay in Taoyuan.
Plus, with this deal, guests can easily travel this shopping hub and Xpark Aquarum with a return trip from any HSR station of your choice!
✨Tip!✨
Whether you've decided to extend your Xpark Aquarium trip with a stay at Cozzi Blu or not, be sure to attend one of the epic Cozzi Blu buffet lunches. Here's a small gallery of the experience, complete with decorative IKEA sharks for "ambience".
Special Xpark Aquarium Activity
Blu Night with Xpark Taiwan & COZZI Blu
Enjoyed the aquarium too much? From Thursday to Saturday, visitors can extend their stay into the evening and overnight with Blu Night.
For NTD $9,933 NTD (roughly $280 USD, including the Xpark entrance fee), nearby 5-star hotel COZZI Blu will provide guests with sleeping materials and meals (breakfast, dinner, midnight meal, and snacks), all in the company of the aquarium’s residents. Explore Xpark Aquarium at night in style!
Tickets can be booked directly on the Cozzi Blu website or online at Klook.
Conclusion
As one of Taoyuan’s most popular attractions – rivalled only by the nearby Gloria Outlets and Lala Mountain (a post is coming soon!) – Xpark Aquarium is definitely a must-see. Though slightly smaller than your average aquarium since it’s basically in a shopping mall complex, it certainly packs a significant punch.
With 13 exhibition areas spread across 3 floors and an outside feature, plus interactive and fun shows – and let’s not forget a delicious cafe – Xpark is truly an excellent attraction for the whole family.
For those not based in Taiwan/unable to visit, we recommend checking out Xpark Aquarium’s Youtube page.
🦈 🦈 🦈 🦈 🦈 🦈 🦈 🦈 🦈 🦈 🦈
Thanks for reading about Xpark Aquarium in Taoyuan. Interested in exploring more of this awesome city? Why not check out Taoyuan’s planespotting culture with my article on the best night spots to go plane spotting – it’ll be a night you never forget!
If you like this article, leave a comment below and let me know if you managed a trip to Xpark Aquarium Taoyuan! 🦈
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