National Museum of Prehistory — Attraction in Taitung City

An interesting place for anyone interested in the geological history of Taiwan, Taiwanese Jade, prehistoric Taiwanese people, and the more modern indigenous people of Taiwan. Apart from these three well-known exhibits are a couple of hidden exhibits that we found quite by accident: a full-sized stone coffin on display on the ground floor of the outdoor square, and exhibit about the Taiwan Railway (its past, present state, and future plans). The Railway exhibit does not include English translations. Generally a good place for school-going children to learn about the basics of pre-history, the plate tectonics that created the map of the world today, human evolution, archaeology, and mummification (not to the same level of the British Museum or Natural History Museum in London, of course—its strength and 'unique selling points' lie more in the area of Taiwan prehistory, as its name suggests). The English translations on some exhibits' display cards are not very accurate (a few make no sense at all when you only read the English explanation), so it helps if you can read traditional Chinese. A slow walk-through all three galleries should occupy you for a few hours. Note: The cafe in the museum was closed when I visited (since 5 Jan 2017, according to the notice). A new cafe is allegedly under construction; no note on the potential...

This is a fantastic museum with one of the best displays and interpretations of Austronesian culture I have seen and being a Kiwi living in Borneo I have seen a lot. It explains well issues of culture and identity from different perspectives.

Just a pity that Chinese cultural imperialism is still present even inside the children's exploration zone of a Museum of Prehistory and Austronesian culture. Requiring children to wear socks is Chinese culture not Austronesian or indigenous culture whose children traditionally go everywhere bare foot or in slippers. Because... it's a tropical county! Let alone that of the ancestors for which socks were unknown. How about just for once, forcing the majority culture to experience life through the eyes or in this case the feet of the minority?

Also why have a fancy coffee chain take up the cafe space on the top floor which insists on ridiculous rules about minimum order size yet still has slow service? Give the space and opportunity to indigenous people to showcase their own food and culture here of all places.

The cafe on the ground floor does exactly this and their traditional millet bak chang is highly...

This museum deserves more than just the name ‘Museum of prehistory’ as it displays a lot of the indigenous cultures of Taiwan in a very colourful and interactive way. It has quite a big display of natural history as well as today’s challenges to preserve nature and wildlife in a modern country that Taiwan is too. The interactive parts make it fun for kids.

The building is quite impressive and there is much sculptural art in the garden worth having a look at. Most of all exhibitions are also in English though unfortunately not all interactive tools worked in the English version. Still, this place is more than worth a visit even though it’s a bit remote (easily done on a bicycle or with a taxi or even a train stops close by).

The area and the museum itself are quite small in number of visitors which might be different if school classes are around. And maintenance is always a challenge in Taiwan given the climate and budgets once a place...