Chimei Museum

Chimei Museum

The Chimei Museum is located in Rende District, Tainan City, Taiwan. It is a private museum and art gallery under the Chimei Enterprise founded by entrepreneur Xu Wen-long, primarily focusing on collecting Western artworks. The museum officially opened in 1992, utilizing floors 5 to 8 of the Chimei Enterprise building for free public visits. Prior to visiting, whether as an individual or group, one must make a reservation.

Xu Wen-long is not only a prominent entrepreneur but also has a keen interest in playing the violin. He started his collection with famous violins before gradually expanding into other areas of art. Eventually, he established a museum in a planned and systematic manner. In 1977, the Chimei Cultural Foundation was established, followed by the preparatory office of the Chimei Art Library in February 1989. The Chimei Museum was officially founded in 1992 and opened to the public for free on April 1 of the same year. In 2001, the Southern Taiwan Science Park Chimei Museum was also established in the Tainan Science Park, specializing in exhibiting the evolution of human technology from handmade to mechanical.

The Chimei Museum consists of five departments: Western paintings and sculptures, musical instruments, antique weapons, natural history, and ancient artifacts. Its collection is rich and diverse, including Egyptian artifacts from the 8th century BC, world-class precious violins, centuries-old Japanese samurai swords, classic works from the Renaissance and Barbizon painting schools, as well as Asia’s most comprehensive collection of bird specimens. This multicultural array allows visitors to appreciate the cultural essence of the world without leaving Taiwan.

ChiMeiMuseum

Must-visit reason: One of Tainan’s most renowned museums