The National Museum of Natural Science features over 50 exhibits spotlighting everything from dinosaurs and space to Han warriors and ancient cultures. Kids will love the IMAX Space Theatre, which screens scientific feature films and documentaries on an enormous semi-spherical dome screen.

The Human Cultures Hall is filled with colourful folk costumes, traditional Taiwanese instruments and Chinese herbal medicine displays, while the Age of Dinosaur Gallery showcases prehistoric fossils and skeletons. In the Global Environment Hall, you can check out exhibits on Taiwan's diverse ecosystem and admire sparkling rocks, gemstones and minerals. Budding scientists will enjoy peering into working microscopes.

The adjoining Botanical Gardens house an impressive collection of Taiwanese plants, including ferns, orchids and succulents. Stroll through the lush tropical rainforest conservatory, explore woodland walking trails and admire the crystalline streams and ponds. Don't miss the Queensland Bottle Tree, known for its unique swollen trunk.

Getting there

The National Museum of Natural Science is in downtown Taichung, a 30-minute walk from the Central District. Shuttle buses run from Taichung Station to the National Museum of Natural Science in around 10 minutes.