The Solar Exploration Center is a landmark building built to go with the 6th generation of the Chiayi Tropic of Cancer signs. The set-up process of the Tropic of Cancer signs went through a lot of difficulties since the Japanese occupation of Taiwan until the establishment of the Solar Exploration Center. The first generation of the Tropic of Cancer landmark was built in 1908, the first landmark tower in the world. It was built to celebrate the completion of the north-south railway construction and was restored five times afterwards. The 6th generation signs were finished in 1995. The Chiayi County government made it a scientific education center of the line and remodeled the signs of all six generations. They chose the "sun" as the theme, with help from the National Museum of Natural Science, determined its educational mission on astronomy, and started open to the public after finishing all the redecoration in 2005. The entrance fee is free now. The Solar Exploration Center in Shueishang Township, Chiayi County, is the largest city landmark among those 16 countries where the Tropic of Cancer goes through. Taiwan is also the biggest island on the Tropic of Cancer. The outlook of the Solar Exploration Center is like a space shuttle. There are five levels in the building. On Floor 1 is the Astronomy Education Center on Floor 2, 3, and 4 are the Astronomy Classrooms and on Floor 5 is the Solar Theme Exhibition Hall. There are also elevated platforms and areas to watch views in distance for people to oversee the whole Solar Exploration Center.