Taipei Museum Guide – Discover the Best Museums in Taipei 臺北博物館指南

Brief Historical Background of Taipei:

The land on which Taipei now stands was once part of Basay tribal land. The Basay people had lived on the land for thousands of years before the first Chinese settlers ever came.
Chinese settlers from Fujian began living here during the Dutch rule in the 1600s.
The first Chinese settlers came to the area in the mid-1800s during the Qing Dynasty. They created a public area for drying rice and grain, called Dadaocheng (大稻埕) which also became the central market in the area.
The earliest trading shops were built in 1851, mainly selling rice, sugar, camphor, and tea. Dihua Street (迪化街) was created around this time, making it the oldest street in Taipei. Most of the buildings were one story and made of red brick in Fujian style, and later western style houses were built. The walls and gates of Taipei were completed in 1884.
In 1891, the first train connecting Keelung and Taipei was completed.
During the Japanese era, in 1904, the walls of Taipei were destroyed after less than 30 years, and Taipei was re-planned into the capital of Taiwan.
After the ROC took control of Taiwan, Taipei continued as the capital city, as well as the financial hub of Taiwan. During the Taiwan miracle, many rural families moved from southern Taiwan to factories and offices in Taipei, making Taipei the most populous urban area in Taiwan.
Currently, Taipei is the most advanced and affluent city in Taiwan. It also has Taiwan’s most advanced public transportation system, making it easy for millions of commuters to live outside the city where rents are cheaper. Now, most of Taiwan’s economic activity is based in this city.

Basic Taipei Travel Tips:

• There is no need to tip in Taiwan. It is not part of the culture here.
• Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar, and many transactions such as for street food still require cash. For more information, check out our guide to the New Taiwan Dollar here.
• Get yourself a SIM card or portable WiFi such as from Klook here so you can stay connected and don’t get lost in the city.
• The electrical voltage is 110V.
• Get yourself an Easy Card, so you can travel easily on the MRT, Train, HSR, Youbike, and even shop at convenience stores. You can also book a Taiwan travel pass on Klook here. 
• For more travel tips, check out our foreigner survival guide here. 

When should you go to Taipei?

In my opinion, the best weather in Taipei is from March-May, and October-November, when the temperatures stay around 26 degrees Celsius and there is not as much rain.
Cherry blossoms can be seen in the park from February to late March. Check out our full guide to Cherry Blossom Season in Taiwan here. 
Summers are also nice, with the most sunny weather, but also hot and rainy.
Winters can be cold (but not below freezing) and usually wet.
Overall, there is no wrong answer as to what time of year you should visit Taipei. You will have a great time here at any time of year.

Hotels in Taipei:

High end:
We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Grand Hyatt (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), Marriot (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), Sheraton (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), Shangri-la (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), and Regent (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), which are all very high-quality hotels in the middle of Taipei City.
We also recommend Fullon Hotel, which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here).
Budget Hotels:
We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here or Agoda 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 or Agoda here).
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Attractions in Taipei:

There are many attractions that you can enjoy in Taipei such as Taipei 101 Observatory, Taipei 101 460 Skyline Observatory, Taipei Children’s Amusement Park, Maokong Gondola, National Palace Museum, Yehliu Ocean World, Yehliu Geopark, National Museum of Marine Science and Biology, i-ride 5D cinema, Astronomical Museum, Miniatures Museum of Taiwan, Double Decker Sightseeing Bus, Miramar Ferris Wheel Ticket, Taipei Zoo, Heping Island Park, Ju Ming Museum, Yuanshan Hotel Secret Road, National Taiwan Museum, New Taipei Gold Museum, Futian Leisure Farm, Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence, Chi Po-lin Museaum, Beitou Museum, Tsao Wonderland, Railway Museum, Fort San Domingo, 13 Levels Archaeology Museum, Austin Land, Museum of World Religions, Formosan Aboriginies Museum, ASE Parent-child Park, teamLab Future Park, Yukids Island, VR Experience, Bat Cave, Neidong Waterfall, Candlestick Islet, Jurassic Snow Park, Zhonghe High5 Amusement Park, Longshan Temple, Xingtian Temple, Ningxia Night Market, Yansan Night Market, Meteor Garden, Yingge Old Street, and many more attractions on Klook here or KKday here.

Activities in Taipei:

Don’t forget that there are many activities available in Taipei such as Indoor Skiing, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, Archery, Ice Skating, Roller Skating, Tree Climbing, Urban Camping, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Escape Room, Shen’ao Rail Bike, Laser Gun Experience, Batting Cages, Bowling, Paintball, Flight Simulation Experience, Taipei Tram Driving Experience, Rail Simulation Experience, Taipei 101 Observation Deck activity, Strawberry Picking, Professional Photo Shoot, Body Relaxation SPA, Night Tour, Calligraphy Workshop, and more on Klook here or KKday here.

How to get there:

The only way to get to Taiwan is via airplane. Planes leave daily from Taipei’s Songshan and Toayuan Airport.
Taoyuan Airport: Taoyuan is Taiwan’s largest airport and typically has cheaper flights and more flight times to choose from. It’s about an hour’s journey from Taoyuan Airport to the center of Taipei. You can travel via MRT, HSR, bus, or taxi to get to Taipei.
You can get 30% off the Taoyuan Airport VIP lounge on KKday here.
Songshan Airport: Songshan is a small airport in Taipei’s city center, and can be a convenient option for people traveling within Asia. The airport is right on the Taipei MRT brown line.
You can book cheap flights to Taiwan on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here.

How to get around in Taipei:

Taipei’s transportation system is convenient and safe. There are many options you can consider to get around in Taipei below:
By Train: Gets you to the city center of all major cities in Taiwan. It is about 800NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. Roughly half the price of the HSR. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
By HSR: (High-Speed Rail) – Gets you quickly from north to south. Besides Taipei and Kaohsiung, most of the stations are far from city centers. It costs about 1500NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. You can book tickets to the high-speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here.
By MRT: (Mass Rapid Transit, Metro train, subway) – Easily gets you around Taipei and Kaohsiung. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. ​You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Bus: Buses can be tricky. Long-range buses such as Ubus and King Bus are easier to understand and cheaper than the local train. They can take you to the city center of every city throughout Taiwan and to remote tourist destinations such as Sun Moon Lake. A long-range bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung is about 500 NT. You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. 
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD.
By Car: 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 Scooter: 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. ​
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. â€‹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. 

Taipei Museum Map:

Please see a map of the museums we will share in this blog below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort San Domingo 紅毛城

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Museum of World Religions 世界宗教博物館

The Museum of World Religions in Yonghe, New Taipei celebrates religious traditions and artifacts from all over the globe. It includes a permanent exhibit of world religions, as well as changing spiritual exhibits, which help to foster understanding among world cultures and religions. Overall it is a fun and educational journey for the whole family…(read more)

Price:
300 NT per person.
You can buy tickets for a discount on Klook here or KKday here.  
Also, socks are required. If you do not have socks, you will need to buy some for some exhibits.

National Taiwan Science Education Center 國立臺灣科學教育館

The National Taiwan Science Education Center in Shilin District of Taipei is the best place to learn science hands-on in Taipei. The center offers permanent exhibits on life sciences, natural sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and earth sciences, alongside special exhibitions. There is also a glass bridge on the top floor, a bike trapeze ride, an earthquake simulator, and DIY activities. There are also a number of restaurants inside. Overall, it is a fun and educational journey for the whole family…(read more)

Price:
100 NT per person.
You can buy tickets for a discount on Klook here.  

Popsmile Popcorn Tourist Factory 卡滋爆米花觀光工廠

Katz (or Kazi) Popsmile Popcorn Tourist Factory 卡滋爆米花觀光工廠 is the only tourist popcorn factory in Asia, and offers DIY tours in Bali District of New Taipei. Visitors are invited to try out many different popcorn flavors, make their own popcorn and DIY treats, and learn more about the history of popcorn making in Taiwan. Overall, it is a fun adventure for the whole family…(read more)

Price:
250 NT per person
You can book tickets for a discount on Klook here or KKday here.
The entrance ticket includes a voucher to purchase popcorn.

Ketagalan Culture Center 凱達格蘭文化館

The Ketagalan Culture Center is an exhibition hall located in the Beitou District of Taipei City. The museum promotes indigenous culture through various exhibitions and events and includes a library. The best part is that admission is free. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Beitou…(read more)

Price: Free

Beitou Hot Spring Museum 北投溫泉博物館

Beitou’s Hot Spring Museum (北投溫泉博物館) was once the largest bathhouse in East Asia during the Japanese era, dating back to 1911. However, after its heyday, the bathhouse fell into disrepair. Now it has been renovated into a museum celebrating the hot spring history and culture in Beitou. It is a must-see if you visit Beitou…(read more)

Price: Free

Xinbeitou Historic Station 新北投車站

Xinbeitou Historic Station (aka New Beitou Station 新北投車站) is an old train station originally built by the Japanese to bring tourists to the Beitou Hot Spring area. Now, it has been restored into a museum and gift shop for visitors to enjoy. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei…(read more)

Price: Free

Beitou Museum 北投文物館

The Beitou Museum (aka Taiwan Folk Art Museum 北投文物館) is a former Japanese-era Hot Spring hotel that has now been turned into a museum and art exhibition space in Beitou District of Taipei. The building also includes restaurants and great views of Beitou. It is a great place to enjoy the history and culture of Beitou…(read more)

Price:
120 NT per person
You can book tickets for a discount on Klook here or KKday here.

Yiran House 怡然居:
Set meals are about 500-1000 NT
You can book a discount meal on Klook here.

Yingge Ceramics Museum 鶯歌陶瓷博物館

The Yingge Ceramics Museum (officially the New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum 新北市立鶯歌陶瓷博物館) is a museum, DIY center, and art gallery for ceramics in Yingge District of New Taipei City. Here, you can learn about the history of brick and pottery making in Taiwan, make your own pottery, as well as enjoy amazing works of art from local artists…(read more)

Price:
Entrance ticket: 80 NT per person
Children’s pottery DIY: 200 NT per child (see above)

Tea Industry Cultural Museum 坪林茶產業文化館

Near the entrance to Pinglin Old Street is a cultural museum that is part of the tea factory. The usual times to visit are 9 to 5, but they are closed on Tuesdays. Entrance is free. You have to climb up the stairs to the second floor. Here, there is some historical info and a tea-drinking room so you can taste-test and buy the tea that the factory is making…(read more)

Price: Free

Taipei Sugar Factory 臺北製糖所

The Taipei Sugar Factory (aka Wanhua Sugar Factory Park, Tangbu Cultural Park 糖廍文化園區 or Taisugar Taipei Warehouse 臺糖臺北倉庫​) is a historical sugar refining Factory in Wanhua District of Taipei City. It was the only sugar refinery built north of Taoyuan during the Japanese rule. Now it has been converted into a museum and cultural center with DIY activities for kids and is a popular attraction in the area…(read more)  

Price: Free

Taipei Martyrs’ Shrine 國民革命忠烈祠

Taipei Martyrs’ Shrine (also known as the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine 國民革命忠烈祠, Yuanshan Martyrs’ Shrine 圓山忠烈祠, or Dazhi Martyrs’ Shrine 大直忠烈祠​) in Zhongshan District of Taipei City is dedicated to honoring fallen heroes of the Republic of China. Traditionally known for honoring fallen ROC soldiers who fought against the Japanese and Communists in China, but lately, other citizen heroes have been added to the shrine. Located near the Yuanshan Hotel and Dazhi MRT, it is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei…(read more) 

Price: Free

Taipei Fine Arts Museum 臺北市立美術館

Taipei Fine Arts Center is one of the largest art exhibition centers in Taipei City. It was the first contemporary art museum built in Taiwan. It is definitely a must-stop on your next trip to Taipei…(read more)

Price: 30 NT per person

Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei 台北當代藝術館

The Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei (aka Moca Taipei) is a former Japanese colonial school building and also served as Taipei City Hall before it was converted into a modern art and exhibition space in Datong District Taipei. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei…(read more)

Ticket Price:
100 NT per person.
​You can book discount tickets on KKday here. 

Yuanshan Villa 圓山別邸

Yuanshan Villa (aka MAISON ACME, Taipei Story House, or Yuanshan Mansion 圓山別莊)  is a historic mansion right next to the Taipei Fine Arts Museum that has opened to the public as an art exhibition space and museum as part of Taipei Expo Park. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei…(read more)

Price: Free

Puppetry Art Center of Taipei 台北偶戲館

The Puppetry Art Center of Taipei is a museum celebrating the art of puppetry in Taiwan (台北偶戲館). The museum is located in Songshan District of Taipei and is accessible via Nanjing Sanmin MRT station. Usually, there are not many people visiting, and there are many interactive displays for children who can even make their own puppet show here…(read more) 

Price:
50 NT per person.
You can buy discount tickets on Klook here.

Academia Historica 國史館

Academia Historica is a public history museum focusing on the political history of Taiwan’s presidents and vice presidents, as well as other cultural and ecological exhibitions, located in Taipei. One of the many historical buildings in Taipei is a beautiful Japanese-era marble-faced building, the former communications bureau, which has been converted into a museum for Taiwan’s former presidents. It is open for tours to the public on weekdays and is definitely worth a visit.​..(read more)

Price: Free

Academia Sinica Museum of Ethnology 中央研究院民族學研究所博物館

Academia Sinica’s Museum of Ethnology features artifacts from Taiwan’s indigenous people and also Han Chinese culture. Entrance is free, it is usually devoid of people, and it has amazing ancient artifacts from Taiwan. It is definitely worth a visit on your trip to Taipei…(read more)

Price: Free

SPOT – Taipei Film House 光點台北(台北之家)

SPOT Taipei Film House (aka former Embassy of the United States, Taipei) is a former diplomatic building for the United States in Taiwan that has now been converted into a film house and café. Here, you can enjoy the history of the building, as well as a cinema, art show, art shop, restaurant, ​and café. It is a great tourist stop in the heart of Taipei…(read more) 

Price: Free

Shilin Official Residence 士林官邸

Shilin Official Residence (aka Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence (士林官邸)  is a historic mansion surrounded by a beautiful park and other historical buildings. The building was the residence of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Meiling and housed many prominent guests. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei…(read more)

Price:
​100 NT per person
Free entrance to the park and other buildings. 

Songshan Cultural and Creative Park 松山文創園區

Songshan Cultural and Creative Park is a former tobacco plant in Taipei that has now been converted into a park, exhibition space, museum, and more. In this multifunctional park, you can enjoy the history of the old tobacco plant buildings, as well as ongoing exhibitions, art shows, restaurants, ​bookstores, and cafés. It is a great tourist stop in the heart of Taipei for both geeks and hipsters…(read more)

Price: Free to visit

Taipei Museum of Drinking Water 自來水博物館

The Taipei Museum of Drinking Water is both a children’s water park and a museum of tap water engineering dating back to the Japanese Era. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Taipei…(read more)

Price:
Summertime (July – August): 80 NT
Non-summer time: 50 NT
Kids 12 and under: Free
You can buy discounted tickets to the Tap Water Museum and water park on Klook here. 

Places we missed:

• Ju Ming Museum
• National Museum of History
• Barbie Museum
• Chi Po-lin Museaum
• Longshan Temple
• Xingtian Temple
  …and many more attractions on  Tripadvisor here, Klook here or KKday here. 

Check out our guide to the best day trips from Taipei here.
Check out our guide to Taipei’s Old Streets here.
Check out our guide to Beitou Hot Springs here.
Check out our guide to Tamsui here.
Check out our one day guide to Taipei here.
Check out our guide to Pingxi here.

Also, be sure to check out our full guide to Taipei here.                   
You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.