This Dragon Boat Festival long weekend, we decided to visit Xpark, making our plans on a whim. Unlike many locals who book their holidays months in advance, our spontaneous decision left us with limited accommodation options. Most hotels were fully booked or had only premium-priced rooms left. Despite this, we managed to secure a room in Zhongli, the district next to Taoyuan, where our activities were centered.
To avoid long queues, I bought our tickets through Klook, which required us to select an entry time. Despite the crowd control measures, the attraction was bustling with visitors—not surprising for a public holiday. Xpark Taiwan, an overseas branch of Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, features 13 themed exhibition areas. The blend of lights, displays, and music created an immersive, fantastical aquatic experience.
This is the current pricing for Xpark
My personal favorites:
1. The Giant Aquarium (Formosa): The massive aquarium, teeming with sea creatures, rekindled my desire to go diving. I could easily imagine myself swimming alongside rays and greeting clownfish families. The sheer size and diversity of marine life were mesmerising, and it felt like being transported to an underwater wonderland.
2. The Healing Jellyfish Gallery: This gallery was absolutely breathtaking, with its colourful formations drawing countless photographers. Although the best spots required queuing, we opted for quick snapshots from less crowded angles. The jellyfish, illuminated by ever-changing lights, looked like ethereal beings floating in a dreamscape. It was a perfect blend of art and nature.
3. The Unique Xcafe: At Xcafe, visitors can watch penguins glide through the air. Unfortunately, it was too full for us to sample the reportedly delicious food that day. The cafe’s design, with its large windows into the penguin habitat, made it a fascinating place to relax and enjoy a meal. I’m definitely planning to try the food next time!
(sorry I didn’t take photos of Xcafe), here is one from official site
Interactive Fun: An interactive room allowed both children and adults to paint sea creatures on iPads and display them on a large screen. This was a big hit with my kids, who loved seeing their artwork come to life in a virtual aquarium. It was a bit disappointing to find some facilities out of order, but I hope they’ll increase maintenance efforts in the future to ensure all features are fully operational.
Overall, Xpark is a delightful destination, and I look forward to returning on a quieter day for a more relaxed experience. After our aquarium adventure, we explored the nearby Gloria Outlets, which my girls particularly enjoyed—typical! The outlet mall offered a variety of stores and dining options, making it a great place to wind down after the excitement of Xpark.