The Empire of Ants story
In Guishan, Taoyuan, we turned one idea, "see the small, understand the great", into an ant ecology museum that is the only one of its kind in Taiwan and one of very few in the world.
For the first time, people can observe at museum scale how ants build, communicate, cooperate and expand. We officially opened in October 2024, launching a nature-education movement that starts in the palm of your hand and reaches out to the world.
The story began much earlier. Founder Wang Bing-Cheng started with a high-school science fair project, built knowledge and a community of fellow enthusiasts through a blog during university, and in 2013 took out a loan to open the first specialist shop built around ants, turning a niche hobby into a business that could be understood, shared and practised. That road no one had walked before became the strongest root of our brand.
About Empire of Ants
For more than a decade, we have drawn on our large-scale breeding experience and brought in 3D printing, model making and painting, and CNC machining to develop a range of nests and accessories made in Taiwan, taking our design standard of “beautiful, easy to keep, good for the ants” overseas. Today our nests and accessories are sold in 26 countries, and through a partnership with a major Japanese pet retailer, Taiwanese design is reaching more homes and classrooms. This is not just about selling products; it is about sending a way of seeing the world further afield.
Before we built the museum, we made a promise: to bring the underground world above ground, so that walking into the exhibition feels like walking into a real ant nest, where you come to understand their society, their division of labour and their language, and learn to respect all living things.
Empire of Ants was never about "selling ants"
What we offer is the value of observation, patience and cooperation. We bring nature home and put curiosity back in your hands.
When you pause in front of a transparent corridor and watch worker ants relay their loads and touch antennae to pass messages, you will understand: being small was never a limitation, it is a starting point. Every life, whatever its appearance, colour or size, has its own value and its own unique way of surviving.
"Empire of Ants" is no longer just a brand name
A "bridge"
A bridge connecting the vast human world with the miniature universe of ants
An "experience"
The unmatched satisfaction of building your own ecosystem from scratch
A "legacy"
Passing curiosity and respect for nature on to the next generation
Welcome to Empire of Ants, where you will see that the smallest is the greatest.
Brand partnerships
"To build the world's leading ant-themed ecosystem, and make 'Empire of Ants' a cultural icon that inspires, educates and enriches lives around the globe."