Just a short journey of about 160 kilometers from Beijing, visitors are treated to a captivating exploration of the intricate relationship between humanity and the vast expanse of the ocean. Two iconic landmarks in Tianjin Municipality’s Binhai New Area stand out in this marine-themed journey: the National Maritime Museum of China (NMMC) and Tianjin Haichang Polar Ocean Park (THPOP).
The NMMC, an architectural marvel designed in collaboration by Australia’s Cox Architecture and the Tianjin Architecture Design Institute (TADI), resembles four massive metallic wings gracefully reaching out towards the Bohai Bay. Spanning over 80,000 square meters, it eclipses even the grandeur of Australia’s Sydney Opera House by being approximately two and a half times its size. This extensive museum encapsulates the essence of the ocean, with its design intended to intertwine elements of history, culture, art, and the natural beauty of the marine world.
Since its inauguration in 2019, the NMMC has evolved into a significant marine educational hub not just for China but on a global scale. Tianjin’s educational institutions frequently hold specialized workshops within its walls, taking advantage of the museum’s vast collection, research capabilities, and resources on marine subjects. The museum champions its mission of becoming a significant part of China’s public cultural framework and a hub for marine culture and research.
Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in various permanent exhibits, including a detailed exploration of ancient oceans and their 4.6-billion-year evolution. This captivating journey takes one through the mysteries of the earliest ocean formations, the rise and decline of ancient marine creatures, and even forecasts about the ocean’s future. Marvel at the diversity of marine life through some of the rarest fossils, from the oldest cyanobacteria to the largest trilobites.
The “ocean today” exhibit offers a contemporary lens into the world beneath the waves. Young visitors will be entranced by enormous displays of whale sharks, giant squids, and an array of invertebrates, all shedding light on humanity’s intricate relationship with the oceans—from the rich marine resources to the impacts of human activity on the marine environment.
Not far from the museum, the THPOP comes alive with the vibrant energy of a marine amusement park. It boasts a diverse collection of over 30,000 polar and marine creatures. An absolute delight is the dolphin and sea lion shows, where the marine performers showcase a series of mesmerizing acrobatics to the delight of their audience. The park offers an interactive experience, from the enthralling fish tunnel to the exquisite display of numerous jellyfish species.
Concluding this marine expedition, the nearby seaside parks in Binhai offer a more hands-on experience. Children find joy in discovering crabs concealed beneath rocks during low tide, rounding off a day steeped in oceanic wonder.
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