Taiwan’s first: Old bank transformed into Yilan Art Museum, with “old vault” becoming the highlight

▲Exterior view of Yilan Art Museum. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)

Reported by Chen Ziying / Yilan

The Yilan Art Museum, completely renovated from a former branch of the Bank of Taiwan, has finally opened to the public, radiating a strong cultural and artistic atmosphere. Long awaited by both locals and travelers, this marks Taiwan’s first-ever transformation of a bank into an art museum. In addition to showcasing modern paintings and artworks, the museum also presents the most beautiful imprints of Yilan’s history from bygone eras. Interestingly, the bank’s original “vault,” with its thick doors and lofty ceilings, has become a major attraction for visitors.


▲The museum preserves the space of the old vault. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)

%Retained the old vault space, the current vault is called the "document archive"


The original vault space has been preserved. The current vault is named the “Document Archive,” where a documentary film of the inaugural exhibition — “Symbolism and Allusion—The ‘Bitter Beauty’ in Wang Pan-yuan’s Paintings” — is played. Nearby are the original wooden cabinets from the old vault. The Yilan Art Museum integrates cultural education, allowing people to feel that the life of this historic building has continued from the past to the present and will endure. Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Lin Chiu-fang stated that this is Yilan’s first art museum. The Bank of Taiwan generously donated the old site, enabling the bureau to showcase artworks by artists here, making it a significant local arts and culture venue.



▲Interior of the vault space. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)

Yilan Art Museum has exhibition areas on the first and second floors. The area behind the museum was originally the Bank of Taiwan staff canteen, which is now operated by “The Classical Rose Garden.” Lin Chiu-fang further explained that during the initial stages, it was specifically requested that the operator’s decoration and design integrate with the museum’s past and future, and even the meals must use locally sourced ingredients. Diners described it as “a one-of-a-kind Classical Rose Garden.”

The original Bank of Taiwan main building and the staff canteen were not connected. During the reconstruction of the art museum, the Cultural Affairs Bureau used a specially designed method to interconnect the two buildings, while still preserving their original distinct appearances. This connecting space is called “Jiujiong Tong” (Nine Poor Passages), featuring good lighting and wooden tables and chairs, creating a bright dining area.


▲The space connecting the bank and the old staff canteen has now been renovated into “Jiujiong Tong.” (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)


▲Current view of the old staff canteen. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)



▲%Emphasizes the architectural harmony between old and new structures. (Image source: reporter Chen Ziying insertion)




▲The museum’s inaugural exhibition is “Symbolism and Allusion—The ‘Bitter Beauty’ in Wang Pan-yuan’s Paintings.” (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)

*The former Bank of Taiwan branch was established in 1899. Later damaged by war, it was rebuilt in 1949 into a Western-style building with a simple exterior and classical charm, holding significant historical and cultural value. It was registered as a historic building by the county government in 2002. After being handed over to the county government in 2012, the Yilan County Cultural Affairs Bureau invested over NT$68 million and spent three years renovating it, transforming it into the art museum.

Yilan Art Museum
Address: No. 1, Section 3, Zhongshan Road, Yilan City, Yilan County
Phone: (03) 936-9116
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Ticket Information: General admission NT$50, Concession NT$30, Industry Ticket NT$20. Free admission for Yilan residents, seniors over 65, children under 6, individuals under 115 cm tall, students, people with disabilities and one accompanying person, Bank of Taiwan employees, and Ministry of the Interior-certified honorary volunteers.