The deep sea themed exhibition “Deep Sea Garden” jointly organized by Macao Science Center, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, and Tongji University, will be officially staged on January 16. The core theme of the Exhibition is the “cold-water coral” discovered by China in the South China Sea in 2018. Following a narrative logic of “from shallow to deep”, it integrates cutting-edge deep-sea technology with distinctive “garden” aesthetics, guiding visitors on a journey from the ocean surface to the depths of 10,000 meters, and unveiling the mysterious life oasis in the “dark underwater world”.

New Discoveries in the South China Sea: The “Deep Sea Garden” in the Dark

The highlight of this Exhibition is the deep-sea cold-water coral, a major breakthrough in China’s deep-sea scientific research. Unlike the tropical shallow-water corals commonly known to the public, these cold-water corals thrive in the deep sea at depths ranging from hundreds to thousands of meters, within a dark and cold environment. They rely on feeding on “sea snow” (settled organic matter) to survive. Alongside sponges, echinoderms, and other organisms, they collectively form a vibrant “deep-sea garden” ecosystem.

Through five sections: “Imagination by the Sea”, “Dreaming of the Deep Sea”, “Dark Wonderland”, “Decoding the Deep Sea” and “Exploring the Infinite”, the Exhibition systematically traces the history of human exploration from ancient myths and legends (such as the Classic of Mountains and Seas and the Mazu belief) to contemporary high-tech deep-sea diving. And visitors will have the opportunity to closely examine the “major national instruments”, that is, China’s independently developed manned submersibles such as “Jiaolong”, “Shen Hai Yong Shi”, and “Fendouzhe”, witnessing the advancements in China’s deep-sea exploration technology.

Immersive Experience: From “Imagination by the Sea” to “Dark Wonderland”

To create an immersive experience for the audience, the ingenious spatial design has been employed. The Exhibition uses the “Deep Sea Dream Corridor” to connect the historical footsteps of human oceanic exploration. Through special lighting and landscaping techniques, it reconstructs an underwater forest landscape featuring bamboo coral (resembling trees), fan coral (shrubs) and glass sponge (grass).

In addition, the Exhibition integrates traditional Chinese garden aesthetics by adorning the exhibition hall walls with classic flower window designs, such as fan and begonia shapes. These decorations infuse the rigorous scientific content with cultural allure. The Exhibition also features an interactive installation that offers an immersive experience with deep-sea submersibles. Through a blend of naked-eye 3D and multimedia projection technology, visitors can intuitively observe the biodiversity from the light layer to the abyss layer through the “portholes”. It also allows them to witness deep-sea wonders such as bioluminescent organisms, hydrothermal vent (black smokers), and “whale falls”.

A Joint Effort by Experts from Macao, Shanghai, and Hong Kong: A Dialogue Between Deep-Sea Exploration and Shallow-Sea Conservation

As a distinctive section of the Macao touring exhibition, this Exhibition has specially collaborated with the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the World Wildlife Fund Hong Kong to establish a dedicated exhibition area focused on coral conservation.

In this area, deep-sea cold-water corals and shallow-water reef-building corals, frequently encountered in the Greater Bay Area, will be compared to offer a lucid explanation of the significant differences between the two in terms of skeletal structure, symbiotic relationships, and habitats. Meanwhile, the latest achievements of the “Endless Coral Restoration Project” will be highlighted, presenting cases of artificial restoration of coral communities in Tolo Harbour and the Red Gate Strait in Hong Kong. It will not only showcase cutting-edge restoration technologies like sexual and asexual reproduction, but also convey to the public the urgency and importance of protecting marine ecosystems.

Illuminating the Blue Dream and Jointly Building a Maritime Power

The “Deep Sea Garden” Exhibition is not only a significant science popularization event, but also a vibrant fusion of the national “Maritime Power” strategy and Macao’s role as a node city along the Maritime Silk Road. By presenting cutting-edge scientific findings such as deep-sea hydrothermal vent, cold spring, and methane hydrate, the Exhibition seeks to inspire young individuals’ interest in marine science and raise public awareness of deep-sea resource exploration and environmental protection.

The Exhibition will be open to the public at Macao Science Center since January 16. Let’s dive together with the scientists to venture into the marvelous underwater world, exploring this mysterious blue ocean that covers 71% of the Earth’s surface yet has only been explored by humans in 5% of its vast expanse.

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Macao Science Center Limited                                                                                        1-PR-PUB-26

January 9, 2026