National Taiwan Museum, Taipei

The National Taiwan Museum, founded in 1908, holds the distinction of being Taiwan's oldest museum. It was established during the period of Japanese rule by the colonial government and is situated in Taipei's Zhongzheng District.

Initially known as the Taiwan Governor Museum, it officially opened its doors on October 24, 1908, in commemoration of the inauguration of the North-South Railway. At the outset, the museum boasted a collection of over 10,000 items. In 1915, a new museum building was inaugurated within Taihoku New Park, and it soon became one of the prominent public structures during the Japanese colonial era. In 1935, it was repurposed to house the First Cultural Pavilion during The Taiwan Exposition.

Despite enduring the challenges of wartime and political transitions, and undergoing two name changes, the National Taiwan Museum remains operational at its original location. In 1998, the Ministry of the Interior designated it as a "National Heritage."

The museum serves as a witness to Taiwan's historical evolution and a repository of its natural and cultural developments. It offers insights into Taiwan's progress in fields such as earth sciences, cultural development, zoology, and botany.

Maintaining its original structure, the museum houses five departments covering anthropology, earth sciences, zoology, botany, and education. Its collection includes specimens of indigenous Taiwanese wildlife and plants, along with cultural artifacts. Through regular and special exhibitions, publications, and educational programs, the museum fulfills its role as an educational institution for the public.

Tip:
Tickets allow access to two locations. The Land Bank Exhibition Hall across the street is more interesting for kids as it has models of dinosaurs and other animals. It was also a former bank with a vault that you can visit to learn about the history of banking in Taiwan.
Allow at least an hour for both locations. Remember to also visit the Peace Park behind the museum, and check out the dumpling and Chinese pastry eateries across the road from the west entrance of the park.