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10 Specialty Museums in Taipei That You Shouldn't Miss
You can eat very well—and very cheaply—in Taipei. The restaurants may not look posh, but the quality of the food is superlative. And there’s a huge variety of restaurants—in addition to local Taiwanese specialties, you’ll find regional cuisines from all over China, as well as great Indian, Japanese and even Italian options. Just make sure to leave some room for snacks—street-vendor food here is addictive.
Restaurants in Taipei
1. Museum of the Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Conventional museums tend to emphasize the individual intrinsic value of the displayed items, separate from their historical or archaeological context. This museum, however, recognizes the fact that each artifact exhibited has its historical background, and has its own unique archaeological status. The museum, therefore, tries to guide the visitor further into the world that the object once inhabited, and enable the onlooker to understand properly the object's comprehensive cultural background. The guiding principle of the museum of the IHP is the scientific spirit of "New Academic Research", which has served as the foundation of Academia Sinica since its inception. The first floor focuses on archaeology, and includes artifacts from ancient Chinese civilization, extending from the Neolithic Lungshan culture through the Shang period, the Western Chou, and into the Eastern Chou period. The second floor concentrates on historical records, and is divided into six types: wooden slips from the Han dynasty, rare books, the archives of the Grand Secretariat, ethnic groups from the southwest China, stele ink rubbings and historical documents from Taiwan, as well as a display area reserved for special exhibitions. Notes and explanations are provided by experts of every field in Academia Sinica. The exhibition starts in the main hall on the second floor, and all display areas can be reached from this hall. Each area on the second floor is preceded by an introductory note on how the artifacts were found as well as their academic significance. The transparent glass floor on the second level and the path from the second floor down to the first floor are designed to generate an atmosphere of walking underground into an archaeological site. The corridors on the first floor exhibition area link the display areas from different periods. Previous spatial constraints imposed by numerous supporting pillars of the building were resolved using an ingenious design to portray visually the division of the historical past into different periods. The most outstanding feature of this area -- apart from the photographs of the tombs and archaeological excavations presented on the wall -- is that all of the artifacts excavated from any one tomb are all displayed.
Reviewed By ECWorld - Hong Kong, China
This is not a well known museum, and is clearly off the beaten track. One of the several museums on the campus of Academia Sinica (near the Nangang MRT station - take a cab from the station, is about 100-120 NTD). Only open only Wed and weekends: and Wed is an excellent time to go since you will have the museum to yourself. And what a collection! Stunning display of various top tier (i.e. National Treasure level) artifacts in both the permanent exhibition as well as the special exhibition on Eastern Zhou bronzes. Nice environment and fairly detailed explanatory notes. Not to be missed for lovers of Chinese culture and history
2. Nylon Cheng Memorial Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By B4793BZjamess
Highly recommended. The Nylon Cheng Liberty Foundation and Memorial Museum are housed in the former editorial offices of the Freedom Era Weekly magazine and contain many artifacts, photos and paraphernalia from Mr. Cheng’s life and courageous freedom of speech activities, along with videos of his life and times. Very moving and inspirational, particularly now when it seems so many forces are arrayed against democracy and freedom of speech. I will now honor 7 April every year as ‘Freedom of Expression Day’ to commemorate Nylon Cheng’s life. A special thanks to CEO Chih-Yao Tu and Mr. Cheng’s daughter for the courteous hospitality they showed me during my visit. (Note that the museum is located just across from the wall where many panels of inspirational quotes from Nylon Cheng, Nelson Mandela, ML King, Rosa Parks, Mahatma Gandhi, Malala Yousafzai and others are displayed.)
3. National Taiwan Museum Taiwan of Land Bank Exhibition Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By CdnLovesTravel787 - Vancouver, Canada
One ticket gives you entry to National Taiwan Museum plus into a building across the street, called Land Bank of Taiwan Bank Museum. Despite the National Taiwan Museum appearing very old and grand inside and out, the only floor open to public was ultra modern in design. This museum covers the evolution of the architecture, history of various ethnic groups which inhabited Taiwan, their tools, geological history and of minerals, conservation, and bio diversity of animal life on this island. Land Bank of Taiwan covers the history of banking on this island and how it evolved, along with the legal system and land ownership. This building is old and just as grand as the one across the street in Peace Park. Within this second building, are taxidermied displays of the animals and birds of Taiwan. Taiwan has 684 species of birds, so they showed only some on a wall. More amazingly, there is a massive dinosaur bone display, even petrified dinosaur eggs. At one end, a lecturer was explaining things to a group in Mandarin. A coffee shop/restaurant is on top level and opens onto a nice garden area with tables & chairs. You can order meals here. I enjoyed the dinosaur display as I do not have one in my home city of Vancouver, Canada. It is a really impressive dinosaur display, not to be missed.
4. Kuo Yuan Ye Museum of Cake and Pastry-Taipei Shilin Branch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By TravelerKai79
Family travel including grandparents, wife, and 3 kids (12,10,8). We all had a blast. The program is well run and I can't say enough positive comments for the lady who guided our session. Jokes were a little corny at times, but super friendly, very helpful, and clearly enjoyed her job which made it enjoyable for all of us. Kids spoke very little Chinese and required our help. The tour guide did speak some English and Japanese. She later told us that she is learning Korean as well. There's a little museum tour while waiting for the pineapple cakes to be baked. It's a bit cheesy, but tolerable way to pass the time. You end packaging up about 10 self-made pineapple cakes, then a little tea time with pineapple cake and mango ice treat. Pros: fun experience, good pastries and dessert, good tour guide Cons: a bit out of the way, not much else nearby, a bit of a walk from nearest MRT station. Tips: be sure to ask how long whatever you buy will stay fresh, as many of them do not have preservatives. Some may not last until you've returned to US.
5. Taiyuan Asian Puppet Theatre Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
6. Garden 91
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Garden 91 is located in Yangmingshan National park just 10 minutes away from Shi-lin MRT Station. The 200sq. ft garden, open to the public year round, offers a serene atmosphere, with breathtaking views of the cityscape, and an indoor complex showcasing a unique rock sculptures and statues collected for decades from around China. Scattered along the walkways and outskirts of the garden are an array of local plant life, some only native to the mountain. The multi-level indoor complex hosts the rock collection, providing another tranquil escape.Guests can take a moment to relax and enjoy a light lunch in the garden overlooking the bustle of the city from above.
7. Ama Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By dzb12345 - Yellowknife, Canada
Beautifully laid out, this museum gives voice to an underrepresented group of war victims: women forced into sexual slavery to satisfy Japanese soldiers during WWII. It’s small, so it won’t take up too much of your time, and is an artfully presented exhibit of a barbaric piece of history.
8. Museum of Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
9. National Palace Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 8,868 reviews
This extraordinary collection of historic art treasures, fascinating for its depth and breadth, has miraculously escaped destruction over hundreds of years. Some pieces date back to the tenth century.
Reviewed By global3adventure - Quito, Ecuador
The National Palace Museum houses 700,000 Chinese imperial artifacts and artworks providing a fascinating glimpse into China's past. Most of the collection are high quality pieces collected by China's emperors. Removed from mainland China to be protected from Japanese & Communist invaders. The age and breadth of the collection of bronze art, jade art, porcelain, stonework, jewelry, calligraphy and so much more A Special Treasures Room holds an intricately carved jade cabbage from Consort Jin’s dowry (1889) priceless ceramics, jade and ivory carvings, jewelry, furniture, & painted screens from the Qing Dynasty 1644-1911. Even for those with little interest in history will find this museum fascinating. The museum gets very crowded and receives many tour buses daily.
10. Postal Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By 619je - Keysborough, Australia
We have been to the Postal Museum several times and thoroughly enjoyed it. The museum has many postal items, both old and new. Anyone with an interest in philatelly will find the museum fascinating.
