Explore Taipei’s Top Museums: Art, History, and Unique Kitsch

With millennia of Indigenous history followed by engagements with Chinese, European, and Japanese influences, Taiwan has always been a cultural crossroads.

This dynamic island democracy possesses many compelling narratives, and the museums located within its capital Taipei are excellent mediums through which to convey these stories. On a rainy day (or virtually any day except Monday), visit their galleries for an insight into tribal communities, Hakka heritage, and the complex relationship between Taiwan and China.

Herein are the premier museums in Taipei.

National Museum of History offers powerful historical insights

Established by Japanese colonists in 1908, the National Taiwan Museum is Taiwan’s oldest museum, situated at the periphery of 2-28 Peace Memorial Park in central Taipei. Explore the park and its numerous pagodas before the temperature elevates, discovering memorials associated with the “February 28 Incident,” commemorating Taiwanese civilians’ protests against police brutality endorsed by the Chinese nationalist government (the Kuomintang) in 1947.

Within the museum’s galleries, visitors can delve into Taiwan’s cultural and natural history, featuring taxidermy samples of indigenous fauna and dinosaur fossils, before moving across the street for complimentary access to the century-old bank vault at Land Bank Exhibition Hall.

International art lovers will love the Taipei Fine Arts Museum

Among Taipei’s foremost art galleries, the Fine Arts Museum serves as an excellent choice for an enriching day. The museum frequently hosts international exhibitions covering fashion, design, and art. TFAM also showcases local artists and conducts the Taipei Biennial within its modern architectural space. The entrance fee typically stands at 30NTD but is waived on Saturday evenings.

See the splendors of Chinese art at the National Palace Museum

If only one museum is to be visited in Taipei, make it this one. The National Palace Museum boasts a permanent collection of 700,000 Chinese artworks and artifacts—the world’s largest and arguably finest—spanning 8000 years of Chinese history on an impressive display across four expansive floors. Prepare to indulge in a visual feast, featuring ceramics, antique calligraphy, jades, and bronze vessels that previously belonged to Chinese emperors.

The museum’s grand entrance reflects the historical significance of its contents, featuring a wide walkway framed by manicured shrubs and fountains, enclosed by a complex designed in the style of a traditional Chinese palace.

Learn about alternative histories at Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines

Located just a short distance from the National Palace Museum, the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines presents an alternative perspective of Taiwan’s history, distinct from the opulence of past Chinese dynasties. This museum features diverse exhibits centered on Taiwan’s indigenous cultures, examining the ethnology of the island along with the varied customs and lifestyles of its different tribes.

Experience the wonders of the universe at the Taipei Astronomical Museum

Unleash your curiosity about the cosmos at the Taipei Astronomical Museum, where numerous educational exhibits and interactive features, including an equatorial telescope, star dome, and ecliptic sundials, await exploration.

Walk through a forest of Euro-Japanese architecture at the Beitou Hot Spring Museum

A replica of the Shizuokaken Idouyama bathhouses in Japan, the Beitou Hot Spring Museum is an unexpected treasure nestled within the foothills of Yangmingshan mountains in northern Taipei, accessible via a short walk from Xinbeitou MRT station.

Constructed in 1913 atop the valley’s natural hot springs, this complex merges Eastern and Western architectural styles and functioned as a public bathhouse for Japanese colonizers. Exchange your shoes for slippers to tread on the tatami-mat flooring and closely observe the arched hallways and tiled walls of the former bathing area as you explore historical exhibits.

Take a moment to relax on the pavilion overlooking Beitou Park; alternatively, proceed down the road for a more immersive experience at Beitou Public Hot Spring, which continues to operate today.

Take a quiet walk by jade artifacts at the National Museum of History

Situated within the tranquil setting of the Botanical Gardens, the National Museum of History stands prominently among the trees with its Ming-style architecture—characterized by red columns and sloped turquoise roofing—adjacent to a serene lotus pond. Enter to discover textiles, handicrafts, and jade jewelry from six noteworthy Chinese dynasties, and allocate time to roam throughout the garden afterward.

Guandu Temple offers living lessons in religious practices

Guandu Temple may be described as a living museum. The oldest temple in Northern Taiwan is dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu and recounts diverse narratives through intricate carvings on walls, columns, and dragon sculptures throughout.

Originating in the mid-17th century and expanded during the Qing Dynasty, Guandu presently functions as a multi-denominational temple under the stewardship of an association representing Fujian, Guangdong, and Taiwanese indigenous communities.

Take in the newest and latest at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

Also among Taipei’s premier galleries, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) showcases an eclectic array of modern international exhibitions housed within a Japanese colonial structure just north of Taipei Main Station.

Sample some kitsch at the Miniatures Museum of Taiwan

At the smallest scale, the Miniatures Museum of Taiwan features a unique collection amassed by a couple, showcasing global landmarks in miniature. The exhibits include a miniature Buckingham Palace, a Tudor castle, and Roman ruins, alongside whimsical scenarios from well-known fairy tales such as Pinocchio and Jack and the Beanstalk. It exudes a playful charm that is utterly delightful.