Despite all this, Checheng seems to be falling slowly into a state of decline. In 2000, Taiwan's National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium was founded, and has since attracted over 1 million visitors each year. But while many have heard about the aquarium, few know about Checheng Township. Most people past through without stopping, heading straight for Kenting National Park in Hengchun Township.
2000 年台灣第一座國家級的「海洋生物博物館」開館後，每年均吸引上百萬人潮來此參觀，可惜許多人只知「海生館」，不知車城鄉；更多人則是途經車城而過門不入，直奔位於南方恆春鎮的墾丁國家公園。