National Taiwan Craft Research Institute (NTCRI) Taipei Branch 台北當代工藝設計分館

Historical Background:

Completed in 1959 and designed by the French-trained architect Lu Yujun, this building was modeled after the Prayer Hall of the Temple of Heaven and originally housed the Educational Materials Museum and Science Education Center. After the latter relocated in 2003, the building was designated a historic site by the Taipei City Government and later restored by the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute, reopening as the Taipei Contemporary Craft Design Branch. The restoration preserved its distinctive architectural features, including reinforced-concrete rafters designed to imitate traditional wood construction, aluminum windows modeled after the original wooden lattice windows overlooking the Taipei Botanical Garden, and green glazed roof tiles with traditional decorative elements and mythological figures symbolizing protection and good fortune.

Hours:

Closed on Mondays, except National Holidays
Open 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Price:

Free 

Where to stay:

We recommend Fullon Hotel, which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
We have stayed at and recommend ​Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. ​You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here.  You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here. 
We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home, which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 

Activities in Taipei:

There are many activities available to enjoy in Taipei, such as kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, and more activities which you can book on Klook here or KKday here. 

How to get there:

By Car/Scooter: The museum is on Nanhai Road behind Taipei Botanical Garden in Taipei. The museum will be on the north side of the road and is hard to miss. There is limited paid parking nearby.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By MRT/Bus: The museum is within walking distance of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall MRT Station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Bicycle: 
Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan’s many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:

Please see below to see:

Our Journey:

I have been to the National Taiwan Craft Research Institute (NTCRI) Taipei Branch once. It is a beautiful round building, and although there are not a ton of exhibits inside, it is still worth checking out, especially if you are visiting the Taiwan National Museum of History next door.

View from the main entrance of the museum.

When I visited, the main exhibit was on Yuyu Yang, celebrating 100 years of his work.

I think this is supposed to be a phoenix related to Yang Yuyu’s exhibit.

The cool part about this museum is that there are many twists and turns around the main pillar and outer walls.

View of some of the exhibits in the museum.

Yuyu Yang Exhibition.
Yang Yuyu (1926–1997), born Yang Ying-feng in Yilan, was a prominent Taiwanese sculptor known for modernist abstract works that combined stainless steel materials with Chinese aesthetic ideas. Educated in Beijing, Japan, and Taiwan—including studies at Tokyo University of the Arts, Fu Jen Catholic University, and National Taiwan Normal University—he initially worked as an art editor and woodblock print artist before focusing on sculpture in the early 1960s. His career included international exhibitions, time working in Italy promoting Chinese modern art, and major public works such as Advent of the Phoenix for the Chinese pavilion at the Expo ’70 and QE Gate installed on Wall Street. In addition to sculpture, he contributed to architecture, landscape design, theater productions for Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, and public art projects throughout Taiwan, leaving a lasting influence on modern Taiwanese art until his death in 1997.

More history and works of art.

More craft work on display.

Some older cartoon strips.

More cartoon strips on display.

Phoenix made of metal.

Another phoenix display.

The original phoenix was made by Yang Yuyu for the 1970 World’s Fair in Japan.

More about his phoenix project.

In March 1970, Taiwan participated in the World Expo under the name of the Republic of China (R.O.C) hosted by Osaka, Japan. Yuyu Yang was commissioned by the Ministry of Education to create a landscape sculpture for the square of the R.O.C. Pavilion, which was designed by renowned architect I. M. Pei.

Drawing inspiration from the folk art of papercutting, Yang assembled heavy steel pieces into a nine-meter-tall red phoenix that somehow appeared light and soaring into the sky, successfully transforming the previously understated and quiet R.O.C. Pavilion into the focal point of the World Expo.

In 1991, Yang created another stainless steel piece in a similar form for the plaza of the Taipei City Bank (now Taipei Fubon Bank). Also existing in various dimensions, this sculpture has been adored and included in private collections.

“Phoenix” is a symbol for the artist’s mother from his childhood, whereas the red phoenix at the World Expo in Osaka was the undying fiery bird symbolizing “the rising sun of the East” (Japan).

Various art trophies in Taiwan.

More trophies.

Golden Horse Award.

Another view from inside the museum.

View looking the other way.

Landscape sculpture.

National Garden Golf Club sculpture.

Street drawings.

Timeline of Yang Yuyu’s life.

View from inside the main pillar, it is empty.

Outside the building, you can see these emergency steps.

There is also an elevator going to the top here.

View from the top balcony.

Panoramic view.

View looking back at the main tower.

There is a restaurant here at the top of the tower.

View from inside the restaurant.

View from outside the main building.

Taiwan National Museum of History 國立歷史博物館

Taiwan’s National Museum of History in Wanhua District was built over a former Japanese guest house and was later expanded to its current size to include six floors. It was also recently renovated, including a large exhibit on the historical significance of the building itself, but it also includes many artifacts and art exhibits…(read more)

Taipei Botanical Garden 台北植物園

The Taipei Botanical Garden is a large area of trees, bushes, paths, and ponds, and one of the best places for birdwatching in downtown Taipei. It is also an area used for research, conservation, and education. Nearby, you can also find the Nanhai Academy and the National Museum of History. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Taipei…(read more)

Nanhai Academy 南海書院

The Nanhai Academy is a collection of buildings built on a former Shinto shrine in traditional Chinese architecture, not long after the KMT nationalists took control of Taiwan. The area consists of the National Art Education Center, National Music Education Center, Taipei Botanical Garden, and the National Museum of History. Located in downtown Taipei, it is easily accessible, and you can spend an entire afternoon here. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Taipei…(read more)​

Check out our Taipei Museum Guide here.
Check out our full guide to Taipei here.
Check out our full guide to Taiwan here.