![Aerial view of the national maritime museum illuminated by lights under construction in Binhai New Area, Tianjin, February 15, 2019. [File photo: IC]](http://img3.zhytuku.meldingcloud.com/images/zhycms_chinaplus/20190414/5862860d-3ce1-4b39-b668-694d9b811ad0.jpg?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_650)
Covering an area of 150,000 square meters, the museum is made up of four white streamlined buildings crossing the land and the sea.
The 15 sections in the 23,000-square-meter exhibition hall cover a wide range of themes, including Chinese marine culture and history, marine ecology and the environment, science education and interactive programs.
![An exhibition hall in China's national maritime museum, Tianjin, April 2, 2019. [File photo: IC]](http://img2.zhytuku.meldingcloud.com/images/zhycms_chinaplus/20190414/4176e869-6f0e-45b7-b219-1d344d7511cf.jpg?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_650)
An exhibition hall in China’s national maritime museum, Tianjin, April 2, 2019. [File photo: IC]
Its exhibition includes various maritime specimens, including a rare pregnant hammerhead shark, a giant squid and over 300 fish and 100 sea birds, as well as a set of marine invertebrate specimens with over 4600 species.
Once opened, the museum is expected to become a center for enhancing public awareness of sea protection, marine research and the promotion of marine culture.
The museum will also have stores, restaurants, cafes and cinemas.
