The Taiwan National Science and Technology Museum offers a wealth of exhibits on Taiwanese and global themes, including climate change. Hands-on displays designed for kids include semitruck-driving simulators, an experiment zone, and a 3D theater. Adults will enjoy the insights into Taiwan’s industrial history and the science of cooking.
Established in 1896 during the Japanese colonial period, Taipei Botanical Garden display more than 2,000 species of plants throughout 17 garden districts on 20 acres (8.2 hectares). Paths take visitors past nine ponds and through two buildings—the Herbarium and Museum of Imperial Envoy Lodging—that are registered historic sites.
Taipei’s Jianguo Holiday Flower and Jade Market is a massive and popular market open only on weekends and public holidays. Stretching for nearly 0.62 miles (1 kilometer), hundreds of vendors and stalls offer an incredible array of plants and flowers at the flower market, and jade and other gemstones at the jade market.
The only dedicated wood sculpture museum in Taiwan, the Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, located in the island’s northwest, offers a glimpse into both local and international woodcarving traditions. Across nine exhibition areas, its galleries showcase everything from Chinese dynastic sculpture and furniture to works by Austronesian peoples.
Tung trees, characterized by clusters of white blossoms that emerge in late spring, were once widely cultivated by the Hakka ethnic group throughout Taiwan. The blossom has since become a cultural symbol of the Hakka and each spring, people from around the country come to see the trees in bloom along the Tucheng Tung Blossom Trail.
One of Taipei’s unique small museums, the Suho Memorial Paper Museum was founded to commemorate the millennia-old Chinese tradition of papermaking. Located in a four-story building, the museum showcases historical artifacts and also hosts a working paper mill and hands-on papermaking workshops.
See-Join Puppet Theater Restaurant continues the tradition of a type of hand-puppetry that originated in Fujian, China hundreds of years ago. The independent venue invites you to watch a performance or engage in hands-on puppetry demonstrations. Classic Taiwanese fare is also served.
Located where the Keelung and Tamsui Rivers meet, Guandu Nature Park has become a favorite nature retreat for Taipei residents and visitors since its founding in 2001. Often referred to as Taipei’s backyard, the sprawling 141-acre (57-hectare park is home to wetland and marsh habitats, and is popular among birdwatchers.
Learn about the history and culture of Taiwan through an entertaining evening filled with spectacular performances at TaipeiEYE, Taipei’s most popular stage show for visitors. Acts range from traditional Chinese and Taiwanese opera to folklore and puppet theater, combined with a thrilling mix of dance, acrobatics, and martial arts.
The Guangxing Paper Mill, the only manufacturer in Taiwan still producing handmade paper, is a family-friendly attraction that provides a hands-on cultural experience. Located in the heart of Puli, a town close to Sun Moon Lake, the mill offers tours and a chance to create paper souvenirs, such as hand fans and lanterns.
Dedicated to maritime history and innovations throughout the world, the Evergreen Maritime Museum is a popular destination for those with an interest in all things nautical. Spread across five floors in central Taipei’s Chang Yung-Fa Charity Foundation Building, the museum showcases model ships, paintings, interactive exhibits, and more.
A historical and architectural landmark, the Lukang Folk Arts Museum might be best-known for its looks. Primarily housed in a neo-baroque 1919 residence built by a Japanese architect, the museum opened in 1973. With sumptuous decorations and a wealth of Qing dynasty artifacts, it offers a view of turn-of-the-century Taiwanese life.
