Rushan Visitor Center of the Kinmen National Park Headquarters (the HQ), under the Ministry of the Interior’s National Park Service, officially reopened to the public on August 27, 2025. This latest update features a reading space, an intertidal zone wildlife video exhibit, and a bird specimen display, all designed to introduce visitors to the unique ecology of Kinmen through various engaging and educational formats.

Since its opening in 2003, Rushan Visitor Center has showcased the relationship between Kinmen’s wildlife and environment. With lively and engaging exhibits, the center promotes local natural ecology. In 2017, the first floor was renovated to focus primarily on Kinmen’s native plant life. This most recent renovation strikes a balance between environmental education and exhibition functions, incorporating a family-friendly reading space. This space offers a curated collection of picture books and publications from Taiwan’s various national parks, featuring vivid illustrations and engaging narratives that guide readers through forests and oceans, showcasing the beauty of these national parks. The updated exhibits also highlight Kinmen’s intertidal species, such as mudskippers, ghost crabs, fiddler crabs, and tri-spine horseshoe crabs, along with other tidepool creatures. These are presented through videos and clear, accessible explanations that describe their forms, behaviors, and habitats, giving visitors a deeper understanding of Kinmen’s rich biodiversity.

The second-floor bird specimen exhibit is updated. Most of the specimens were birds that, unfortunately, did not survive the rescue efforts. Now, through careful preservation and display, these birds continue to make significant contributions to ecological education and conservation awareness. One of the exhibit’s highlights is a deconstructed specimen of a kingfisher’s feathers. Despite its tiny size, a kingfisher has 2,451 feathers. This specimen categorizes and displays feathers from different body parts — head, back, belly, wings, and tail — illustrating the varied structures and functions of feathers used for flight, waterproofing, insulation, and camouflage, which serves as a fascinating example of evolutionary adaptation and survival strategy in nature.

The HQ notes that this renovation has created a warm and welcoming space, offering a shared learning environment for parents and children. Visitors of all ages can now enjoy a relaxed setting where they can explore and learn together. It’s an ideal spot for family outings during the hot summer months, combining education and recreation. Everyone is invited to visit the Rushan Visitor Center to discover the wonders and marvels of the natural world.