Chi Mei Museum

　　    The Chi Mei Museum is located in Rende District, Tainan City, Taiwan. It is a private museum and art gallery under Chi Mei Corporation, founded by entrepreneur Xu Wen-long, focusing mainly on Western artworks. The museum officially opened in 1992, utilizing floors 5 to 8 of the Chi Mei Corporation building for free public visits. Both individual and group visitors are required to make reservations in advance.

　　    Xu Wen-long is not only a prominent entrepreneur but also has a keen interest in playing the violin. He began his collection with rare violins and gradually expanded into other areas of art, eventually establishing a museum in a planned and systematic way. In 1977, he founded the Chi Mei Cultural Foundation, established the Chi Mei Art Information Center preparatory office in February 1989, and opened the Chi Mei Museum in 1992, which opened to the public for free on April 1 of the same year. In 2001, the Southern Taiwan Science Park Chi Mei Museum was also established to specifically showcase the evolution of humanity from manual to mechanical production.

　　    The Chi Mei Museum is divided into 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, Japanese samurai swords from several hundred years ago, classic works from the Renaissance and Barbizon painting schools, as well as Asia’s foremost collection of bird specimens. This multicultural array allows visitors to appreciate the cultural essence of the world without leaving Taiwan.

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