A rendering of the Zhoushan Changqiao Sea World Science Museum, which is expected to be finished by the end of 2022. [Photo/WeChat account: zsgd93]

Construction on the Zhoushan Changqiao Sea World Science Museum in Zhujiajian, a 4A-level scenic area in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, broke ground on Oct 23, local media reported.

The museum will cost 2 billion yuan ($298 million) to build, is expected to cover an area of 118,000 square meters, and will include four exhibition halls.

More than 30,000 maritime creatures, including white whales and dolphins, will be housed at the museum.

The museum will also feature the Zhoushan Changqiao Polar Ocean World, which will be the largest aquarium in the world with nearly 30,000 cubic meters of seawater, according to Huang Binggeng, president of Hangzhou Changqiao Tourism Investment Group Co Ltd, which is in charge of building and operating the museum.

Huang said that the ocean world will have playhouses for dolphins, white whales, and sea lions.

Another highlight of the science museum will be its virtual animal world with rainforests and rivers, added Huang.

Huang said that the museum will use advanced technology to simulate tropical aquatic animals, amphibians, and forest animals living in a virtual world.

There will also be an indoor bathing beach next to the shark zone, separated by special glass. This will allow visitors to feel like they are swimming together with sharks.

A special resort hotel will also be built at the museum, highlighting guestrooms and restaurants with a variety of different themes, such as an underwater world, a fishing village, and a tree house.

Construction on the science museum is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.