National Taiwan Museum and Huashan 1914 Creative Park, Taipei, Taiwan

The National Taiwan Museum is one of Taiwan’s oldest and most significant museums.  Huashan 1914 Creative Park is a hub for Taiwan’s cultural and creative industries.

Tim Ho Wan: 100, Taipei City, Zhongzheng District, 忠孝西路一段36號
Taiwan National Museum: No. 2, Xiangyang Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100
Huashan 1914 Creative Park: No. 1, Section 1, Bade Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100

Before the National Taiwan Museum trip, I stopped at Tim Ho Wan restaurant for lunch.

Tim Ho Wan is a famous dim sum restaurant originally founded in Hong Kong. It is renowned for its high-quality, affordable dim sum dishes and has gained international recognition.

Walking to the museum

The National Taiwan Museum

Plants, animals, and sea creatures found in Taiwan

Rocks found in Taiwan

The story of Taiwan

Prior to the arrival of Chinese settlers, Taiwan was inhabited by various indigenous Austronesian peoples for thousands of years. These indigenous groups maintain their distinct cultures and languages to this day.

In the 17th century, both the Ming Dynasty of China and the Dutch East India Company established control over parts of Taiwan. The Dutch ruled the southwestern part of the island, while the Ming loyalists controlled the southeast.

In 1683, Taiwan was incorporated into the Qing Dynasty’s Chinese empire. It remained under Qing rule for over 200 years, during which time Chinese immigration increased significantly.

After the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan in the Treaty of Shimonoseki. Japan ruled Taiwan as a colony until the end of World War II in 1945. During this period, significant modernization and development took place on the island.

Following Japan’s surrender in 1945, the Republic of China (ROC), under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek, took control of Taiwan. This marked the end of Japanese rule on the island.

Founding family house

What they believed

Aboriginal Artifacts

After a short subway ride, I reached Huashan 1914 Creative Park.

It is a popular destination for both locals and tourists and is known for its vibrant arts scene and diverse cultural activities

The park is situated on the grounds of a former winery and sake factory that dates back to the Japanese colonial period. The factory was established in 1914 (hence the “1914” in its name) and was used for industrial purposes until it was repurposed into a creative and cultural space.

Within the park, you’ll find a variety of creative shops and boutiques. These shops offer unique and handcrafted products, including art, fashion, design items, and souvenirs.

Looking back

Huashan 1914 Creative Park is dedicated to promoting and nurturing the arts and creativity. It serves as a platform for artists, designers, performers, and creators to showcase their work and engage with the public.

You’ll also find cafes and restaurants within the park where you can enjoy a meal or a coffee while taking in the creative ambiance.