Living in the old part of Taichung city we have been constantly asked by our friends from out of the city "where can they go or that is their to do?" Well, quite honestly it is hard to point out a place that would really satisfy visitors in the old city, except bars, restaurants, and motels, especialy for the younger energetic generation.
One day my husband and I ended up hosting two young boy both 11 years old for one day. We gave them some destinations to choose for the day with us. "Been there and done that" was the most answer that we got from them. Finally when I mentioned the 921 Earthquake Museum, it caught their attention because they hadn't been there yet. They both were highly interested in the learning of the magnitude 7.3 earthquake. Well our problem was solved and also it was not too far from old Taichung city.
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| This picture was taken from the country side on our way to the museum. It took us about 30 minutes driving to Wufang which is on the outskirt of the old Taichung city. |
Geologically Taiwan is located on Pacific Ring of Fire. There are tremors occuring everyday which is the usual pattern and people sometimes feel or don't feel the tremors. In Sept. 21 of 1999 a devastating earthquake with the magnitude of 7.3 struck the central island of Taiwan which caused tremendous damages to building and homes and life loss and the psychological fear of it happening again. In 2001, the government decided to turn the formal Kwangfu Junior High School campus in Wufang which was severely hit by the earthquake into a earthquake museum to show and educate people about the disaster.
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| The museum has two parking lots. We parked at the north side parking lot which doesn't show on its official website. The layout of the museum was taken from the north side. |
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| The museum has 5 main exhibit halls. My two guests were interested in the 3rd hall for experiencing the earthquake stimulations. So we had to walk through the first and second hall in order to get there. Another reason to get there at first is the limited seating and scheduleing. Sometimes visitors may encounter groups of people or students which would cost individuals time for waiting in line. |
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| After we passed the first and second hall, we came across a courtyard with some installation arts. Also we saw the major buildings destroyed. It used to be classrooms and now a site for people to see the power of a natural disaster. |
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| This building was next to the third hall which is our first stop of the image hall. Visitors could see squat toilets on the edge of the building. It was interesting to see the real life and think about the relations of the earthquake, things, and people. |
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| Our first stop |
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| There were two theaters which one the 3D theater and two the Earthquake Experience Theater. There were two different movies. Schedule and visitor limitation were listed in this picture. |
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| We didn't get here in time for the first schedule. So we had to wait for a while. |
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| During our waiting, kids found some educational computer interactive program machines to play with. It was good for them to kill time while waiting for the next schedule . |
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| After a short waiting period of time, we were led to this earthquake experimental room which was set up as a living room. We were asked to sit down. |
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| The game was going to start soon. |
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| The shock was not real scary as the real earthquake because we knew when it would start and we knew we would be safe without any harm during the shake. Anyway kids had fun during the movement was our main purpose. |
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| Three handsome men in the 3D theater with their thump up. We watched 2 movies and both were good. The movies were free admissions. |
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| After finishing the most interesting subjects for kids, we walked back to the second hall of Earthquake Engineering Hall. It also had some interactive themes to teach people about the great ideas of anti- earthquake building structures. This picture illustrated how to place objects in a proper way to avoid damage during a devastating earthquake. |
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| This interactive display showed people the different damages between the tall building and short building in different degrees of earthquakes. |
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| This was another interactive platform. |
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| The construction engineering support methods were applied in the collapsed building which allowed us to walk under the building safely. |
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| This picture was taken at the Earthquake Science Theme area which was a portion of the first hall of Chelungpu Fault Gallery. It included 6 different interactive subjects and the photo display of the scenes after the quake. |
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| One of the 6 different interactive subjects |
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| Visitors can reach the outdoor area which used to be the athletic field of the formal junior high school from the Earthquake Science Theme area. |
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| This site is a highly geologic study area which has attracted many international geologists to conduct surveys about the effect of the earthquake. Why is this place so special? The earthquake caused the running track to raise up at least 2.1 meter high because the fault cut through this area and the fault extends about 340 meters long. Standing on this site, you can feel the energy of the earthquake. |
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| This map explains all earthquake faults distributed in Taiwan. |
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| This pile of dirt was excavated from the earthquake site to educate people about the earth stratum and the earthquake force. |
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| The museum also adapts some ecological methods in its structures and surrounding environment. |
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| We were in the Disaster Prevention Hall. This wall displayed several legend floods, stories in various ethnic and religious groups. |
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| Another interactive game for kids to learn natural sciences. |
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| Can you take a guess what is this? No it's not a bomb shelter. It is a restroom. |
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| Accident Prevention--Journal to the West Hall |
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| These two kids had a great time there and we didn't have to worry about safety issue. Sometimes we had to explain to them about the meanings of the games or the displays. |
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| Learning the sound conduction! |
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| They were circling Chinese idioms in order to exchange souvenirs which was sponsored by the museum. |
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| He was waiting for the volunteer to check on his answer for the souvenir. |
How to get there, ticket, or more information, please visit its official website:
http://www.921emt.edu.tw/e_content/info/info04.aspx
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