National Museum of Prehistory

If you are interested in archaeology, natural history or Austronesian culture, then the Taiwan National Museum of Prehistory is the ideal place for you to visit. Here, you can learn about the circumstances of Taiwan and its residents before the Dutch colonized the island in 1624. The museum was officially established in 2002 and is the most important museum of anthropology and natural history in Taiwan. Notably, it is also the only national museum in the whole of eastern Taiwan. When you walk into the Natural History of Taiwan exhibition, giant mammals which used to roam to and fro in the Ice Age are vividly reproduced in front of your eyes. Looking closer at the English information placards, you will learn all sorts of facts concerning the evolution of the geology and ecological environment of Taiwan. The “Prehistory of Taiwan” exhibition hall underground also reproduces life scenes of prehistoric people in amazing detail, as if you were cast back to prehistory and witnessing how Changpinian (長濱) molded pottery, or how ancient Beinan people made coffins out of slate. This museum is also a great place to hide from unexpected rain if you find yourself caught out strolling in the Beinan Cultural Park (卑南文化公園) nearby.