National Museum of Natural Science (NMNS 科博館) "Earth's Treasures (大地瑰寶)" Mineral Permanent Exhibition

After five years of planning, the National Museum of Natural Science (國立自然科學博物館) is proud to present "Earth's Treasures (大地瑰寶)," Taiwan's first large-scale permanent mineral exhibition. The exhibition area is divided into 3 halls covering nearly 600 pings, bringing together the museum's rare mineral collection accumulated over 30 years. On-site, more than 1,700 mineral specimens are featured, including a giant stalactite group, fluorescent minerals that bloom with brilliant colors under different UV wavelengths, a giant heart-shaped amethyst geode, Taiwan's unique treasure Hokutolite (北投石), as well as Jiufen (九份) and Jinguashi (金瓜石), native gold, and Fengtian nephrite (豐田閃玉), which once created economic miracles for Taiwan. There is also moon rock brought back by Apollo 11, the first successful moon landing. The exhibition is grand in scale, with each exhibit having a fascinating story, presenting a magnificent chapter of minerals from their birth on Earth and environmental changes to human application.

"Earth's Treasures" takes "Exploring the Treasures of the Earth" as its core concept. The entrance is designed like a cave, leading the audience into 8 major units: "Mineral Evolution," "Minerals are Everywhere," "The Beauty of Crystal Symmetry," "The Beauty of Crystal Color," "Taiwan's Treasures," "World Mining Areas - A Grand View of Crystals," "The World of Minerals," and "Minerals and Life." Visitors will learn about the evolution, characteristics, aesthetic value of minerals, and their close relationship with human life through situational design, multimedia interaction, and innovative displays.

Planning for "Earth's Treasures" began in 2019. The geological research team took the museum's collection as the core, planning the visiting route according to the evolutionary process, physical characteristics of crystal form and color, growth environment and natural elements, as well as Taiwan's mineral resources and special mining areas of the world. In the high-ceiling area, a stalactite forest weighing 5 tons and 3 meters high stands impressively, recreating the original cave landscape of stalactites, allowing for an understanding of their growth patterns. This is one of the highlights of the exhibition, aiming to guide visitors into a kingdom of minerals that is both informative and beautiful.