Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines
Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines
4.2
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines was officially opened in June 1994 as an ethnology museum that is dedicated to promoting mutual understanding between different ethnic groups, through research, preservation and exhibition of the material culture of Taiwan indigenous peoples. Through various educational activities, we hope to recall the wordless history and present the multi-cultural phases of Taiwan. The main displays of the museum introduce the natural environment of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples, their daily utensils, clothing and personal decoration, ritual objects and religious life. Films shown in the museum offer an understanding of the present conditions of the life of Taiwan indigenous peoples. Special indigenous-themed exhibitions, which are expected to be the urban window to tribal culture, are held at regular intervals in the special exhibition room located on the B1 floor.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.2
71 reviews
Excellent
27
Very good
32
Average
8
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Luke
Manchester, UK615 contributions
Jan 2020
I visited Wulai the day before coming here, and I loved learning about the fascinating culture and history of the indigenous people of Taiwan. Firstly, I would highly recommend visiting the Shung Ye Museum over the Palace Museum (just down the road). The building is beautiful, and the collection inside is outstanding. There is even a 3D cinema, and even thought the movie wasn’t in English it was pretty easy to follow. The artefacts on show are exceptional, and I found the staff totally committed to their work. When I visited, I was the only person inside the museum. This was a special experience, and my time there was one of the most memorable from my trip to Taipei.
Written December 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MizuhoK
Hino, Japan4,251 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
This museum is 5 min away from National museum across the street. It’s worth a visit to learn about the indigenous in Taiwan. The exhibition and explanation are very basic. I learned from the video which had Japanese that Taiwan is close to Philippines so no wonder there are people different from Chinese. Not only appearance but also the religion, behavior and habits. I enjoyed making music based on native peoples sense. It was really a good introduction for us who visited Taroko where indigenous people and culture still remain. This museum symbolizes that Taiwanese are enthusiastic of preserving indigenous peoples and their cultures and we appreciate it so much.
Written March 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon B
London, UK99 contributions
Oct 2022
Taiwan’s indigenous people is one of the things that makes it unique. The best thing, of course, is to go to a village and experience some local festivity. But for the wider context it’s well worth coming here for an overview of the 16 recognised tribes, where they are settled and their particular specialities. There is pottery, carving, costumes and more. One thing the museum should think of doing is an accessible book, with photos on Taiwan’s indigenous groups.
Written October 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JJAACCKK2004
West Covina, CA28 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
It is very close to the National Palace Museum; you can walk over. The Shung Ye Museum is 3 floors and there is a park across the street which I think is part of the museum. The exhibits in the museum are so sparse, there really isn't much to see. I had free time and took a taxi to get there; after visiting it, I felt I wasted my taxi money. I don't know why I was bored; maybe it's because the museum is poorly designed? I was disappointed.
Written November 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Watsson
Annapolis, MD466 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Good introduction to life on Taiwan before the Han Chinese showed up. Don’t miss the 2 videos. — the 3-D one in the theatre and the one on the video monitor. Get the combo ticket for the National Palace Museum down the street and save a few bucks.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve L
Wellington, New Zealand92 contributions
May 2014 • Business
Who would have thought that there were native peoples - unique to the island of Taiwan (Formosa) - pre-dating the arrival of Chinese and Japanese - and who survive to this very day, complete with key aspects of their original culture intact and flourishing!
The Shung Ye Museum is a must for visitors to Taiwan who want a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage of the island. This not a grand-scale, monumental museum like it's neighbour (The Palace Museum). It was nearly deserted on the day I visited, whereas the Palace Museum was a crush of mainland Chinese and other tourists. All the same, it has just enough information, excellent objects showing the village life, house construction, ceremonies and costumes of a number of different aboriginal tribes.
These aboriginal peoples are Austronesian. They share the same DNA and linguistic roots as New Zealand's Māori and most of our polynesian pacific neighbours, so it's fascinating to see how differently the built cultures have evolved.
As well as the permanent ethnographic exhibition, there was a modern graphic-art exhibition - works by local indigenous artists that translate traditional patterns into digital files and express them in graphic works... simply brilliant, and a delight to know that the indigenous cultures are alive and kicking in modern-day Taiwan.
The gift shop has a desirable collection of souvenirs as well.
For all the clamour and grandeur of the famous Palace Museum across the road - I prefer this small-but-passionate visitor experience.
If you're in Taipei, add it to the list of 'must-dos'.
The Shung Ye Museum is a must for visitors to Taiwan who want a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage of the island. This not a grand-scale, monumental museum like it's neighbour (The Palace Museum). It was nearly deserted on the day I visited, whereas the Palace Museum was a crush of mainland Chinese and other tourists. All the same, it has just enough information, excellent objects showing the village life, house construction, ceremonies and costumes of a number of different aboriginal tribes.
These aboriginal peoples are Austronesian. They share the same DNA and linguistic roots as New Zealand's Māori and most of our polynesian pacific neighbours, so it's fascinating to see how differently the built cultures have evolved.
As well as the permanent ethnographic exhibition, there was a modern graphic-art exhibition - works by local indigenous artists that translate traditional patterns into digital files and express them in graphic works... simply brilliant, and a delight to know that the indigenous cultures are alive and kicking in modern-day Taiwan.
The gift shop has a desirable collection of souvenirs as well.
For all the clamour and grandeur of the famous Palace Museum across the road - I prefer this small-but-passionate visitor experience.
If you're in Taipei, add it to the list of 'must-dos'.
Written May 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RafikiLondon
Hong Kong, China525 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
It wasn't just the lack of crowds and lines, screaming babies and shoving senior ladies encountered at the Palace Museum across the road that made this enjoyable. The story of the aboriginal Taiwanese is largely unknown and for many tourists in-interesting. But this museum demonstrates that a museum is not only about the tragic and painful past, but also about thriving communities today. Well labelled and documented and an excellent collection of textiles. A lesson in colonialism in its various forms.
Written February 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi RafikiLondon,
Thank you so much for your positive comment on Shung Ye Museum. We are honored to learn that you have enjoyed your visit in our museum. We will be looking forward to your next visit very soon.
Written April 19, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Aleksandra U
Taipei, Taiwan22 contributions
Jan 2017 • Solo
This place is big. It has potential. But unfortunately there are too few artefacts on display. The museum shop has more stuff than the museum collection. If you are already somehow familiar with the aboriginal culture in the region absolutely don't bother. Very few pictures. I was hoping for a nice movie. The woman at the ticket desk have me 3d glasses and said that there is a movie every hour. I waited for it and it was a 3d animation about a boy who was riding somewhere on a bear. How you can recommend something like this to a grown up person is beyond me. Waste of time. Spend your time going to a real aboriginal village instead before it's turned into another Disneyland for tourist that a Han owner benefits from.
Written January 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan W
Williamstown, MA268 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
Taiwan has just recently begun to acknowledge and value what it now recognizes, based on ethnographic and linguistic studies, the 16 aboriginal tribes that existed well before Chiang Kai-Shek forever changed the face of this beautiful island country. While the Palace Museum, across the street, is filled with Chinese art, this museum houses what we were told is a collection of more than 2000 artifacts from the indigenous Atayal, Paiwan and Tao tribes, along with a very useful audio-guided tour that sets the artifacts into historical and cultural perspective.
Unless you're there with children, skip the somewhat silly introductory film. Definitely start on the basement level, and work your way to the top. You won't be disappointed.
The museum's small gift shop is also the place to buy aboriginal arts and crafts and cds of traditional music.
As another reviewer has pointed out, this museum is, indeed, a "Local Treasure."
Unless you're there with children, skip the somewhat silly introductory film. Definitely start on the basement level, and work your way to the top. You won't be disappointed.
The museum's small gift shop is also the place to buy aboriginal arts and crafts and cds of traditional music.
As another reviewer has pointed out, this museum is, indeed, a "Local Treasure."
Written March 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi sweetbrook,
Thank you so much for your positive comment on Shung Ye Museum. We are honored to learn that you have enjoyed your visit in our museum. We will be looking forward to your next visit very soon.
Written July 5, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Luobota
Copenhagen, Denmark263 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
I warmly recommend this museum if interested to the origins of Taiwan and its aboriginal population. The exhibition shows several aspects of the natives' lives: houses, traditions, clothing, rituals, spirituality. A very interesting and well structured exhibition.
Written February 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Luobota,
Thank you so much for your positive comment on Shung Ye Museum. We are honored to learn that you have enjoyed your visit in our museum. We will be looking forward to your next visit very soon.
Written July 5, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ShungYeMuseum
Taipei, Taiwan
Hi Ms. Mary L,
Thank you for your inquiry. If you would like to come to Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines, please find the ways of public transportation as follows,
MRT (Metro Rapid Transit):
Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Shilin station (then transfer by bus at Exit 1). Take 255, S18, S19 to Wesley Girl's High School or 304, 815 to National Palace Museum.
Wenhu Line to Dazhi station (then transfer by bus at Exit 3). Take BR 13 to Wesley Girl's High School.
BUS:
Take 304, 815 to National Palace Museum. Take 255, S18, S19, BR 13 to Wesley Girl's High School
If you have more questions, please feel free to contact us or visit our website.
We will be looking forward to your visit.
Written October 29, 2016
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