30 recommended trails that will signpost the way to a true understanding of Taiwan’s history and culture

Should you start with the Presidential Office Building and then move on to the North Gate of the old Taipei city walls? Or are you better off beginning at the Southern Branch of National Palace Museum before you make your way to the National Museum of History? Su Ming-Ju draws on her many years of experience in the world of art and culture administration to join the dots between Taiwan’s museums, parks, and significant buildings, highlighting underappreciated cultural gems and providing a deeper insight into the tourist hotspots.

These thirty walking trails are divided into four chronological categories, beginning with the museums that were founded during the first half of the twentieth century when Taiwan was under Japanese rule. The second part of the book focuses on the sites which were built to promote Chinese culture during the fifties and sixties, before part three turns to the natural world, featuring the Museum of Marine Biology and the Museum of Prehistory. Finally, we look at some of the smaller, more specialized museums of recent times, covering subjects ranging from hot springs and literature to fine arts and forestry.

With maps and photos to illustrate these key locations, Taiwan Museum Trail: Go! is the perfect tour guide, regardless of whether you’re making a trip to Taiwan or visiting in your imagination.