The 10 Best Specialty Museums in Nantou, Nantou

Growing and making tea since 1880 The journey of Yoshan Tea can be read hand in hand with the history of Taiwanese Dong Ding oolong. Oolong has been cultivated on Dong Ding Mountain as early as the mid-19th century, when local villagers started harvesting “qing xin oolong" in preference to the native “wild tea”. By this time, the Chen family of Yoshan Tea were already knee-deep in their exploration of Taiwanese oolong. It is now Yoshan Tea’s mission to preserve and continue the art of making this classic tea.

Hundreds history of Taiwan Natural Lacquer is important cultural property for Taiwan, lacquer well produced predominantly based in Nantou Puli. Since 1918, Rhus succedanea L. var. dumoutieri kudo had been brought into Taiwan because of good quantities and quality. In the beginning, lacquer trees was planted and researched by Taiwan Governer-General's Office in Lien Hua Chih Research Center, earlier periods lacquer trees widely planted in Miaoli Tongluo. Due to Puli basins is suitable for lacquer trees grow up, in 1950s agricultural lacquer production started in Puli area. At that time, it opened the Taiwan Natural Lacquer Industry for over 30 years prime time, there were nearly twenty thousands of people lived on lacquer, lacquer farmers about ten thousands of people, lacquer trees highest planted area up to 2,500 hectares. In 1974, the annual production of raw lacquer reached 293 tons, half of raw lacquer exported to Japan, have benefited over 100,000 people who worked for advanced lacquer furniture industry in Taipei, Hsinchu, Lugang, Daxi and other regions in Taiwan that consumers preferred and earned large amounts of foreign exchange. Therefore, Puli is the home of Taiwan's lacquer. However, times changed, social and economics structural transformation led to Taiwan lacquer industry declined. Long Nan Museum of Natural Lacquer Wares, the only remaining Taiwan’s lacquer industry has been manufacturing and exporting natural lacquer and excellent blend of beauty, elegance, great design, and extraordinary lacquer wares under strict inspection and quality control for more than 6 generations, trying best continuing Taiwan specific Hakka lacquer cultures and reappearing its glory. In 1956, Hsu A Long, the originator of Long-Nan CO., LTD, continued natural lacquer business from ancestors. In 1960, he established corporation of Long Nan which is famous for excellent lacquer refining and best quality of natural lacquer. Almost 90% of natural lacquer produced in Taiwan must be inspected strictly by Hsu Yu-Fu, the CEO of Long-Nan CO., LTD, and approved under “龍” seal before exporting. In 1988, Hsu Yu-Fu, the CEO of Long-Nan CO., LTD, based on the missions for preserving century history of Taiwan Natural Lacquer, he decided to form Long-Nan Museum of Natural Lacquer Wares. There are over ten thousands of historic-cultural collections of natural lacquer wares in Long-Nan Museum. Every year, not only Taiwan people but also many tourists come from all over the world to visit our museum. ◎Welcome to visit Long Nan museum of Natural Lacquer Wares. Long Nan Museum of Natural Lacquer Wares is the only one to exhibit the history of Natural Lacquer and its culture, from Lacquer Trees, Natural Lacquer Collecting and Manufacturing, Lacquer Art & Antique Repair, Lacquer Biochemical Research, Natural Lacquer Instrument, Interior Design and Fashion etc. Long Nan Museum has been over 100 years and we insist on providing the best of Natural Lacquer Wares. Do you want to visit Long Nan Museum of Natural Lacquer Wares or collect classic of Long Nan Lacquer Wares? Welcome to visit Long Nan, we have professional guide to introduce Natural Lacquer Culture by interesting and interactive way.

KOKOMU is the new generation of the company named “HaiShan Handcrafts”, founded in 1969 by three Shih brothers. In the early 1960’s, lumber industry exploded and there were more than 450 woodcraft factories in Puli, Taiwa. HaiShan Handcrafts being one of them, produced large quantities and varieties of Christmas decorations, such as Christmas pyramids, wooden incense puppets, and many export products. HaiShan Handcrafts was one of the very few companies that specialized in nutcrackers and wooden music boxes. In 2012, HaiShan changed the path, from a traditional handcraft shop into a tour factory, mainly focused on wooden music boxes where tourists have hands-on and DIY experiences. With our profound and professional woodcraft experience of the past, KOKOMU has turned the page of traditional OEM to a new chapter, creating and establishing our own brand, designing, developing, producing and marketing our own products. We’ve now created a space within our factory to display and introduce Puli’s woodcraft culture and history, to let people learn and understand the true art and the value of woodcrafters. With our new business model and goals, we are focusing on refining traditional, rough woodcrafts into exquisite gifts. We promote a “Do-It-Yourself” concept. Through Music Box DIY, you can raise the value of your gifts to your loved ones to priceless.