The Beauty of Medieval Architecture – A Museum as Stunning as Versailles

Photos & Text byA-Kuai’s Home

Thought you were on vacation in France? ... Does the castle in the photo make you feel like you're at Versailles? Actually, nope—it's a castle located within Tainan Metropolitan Park. Not Versailles? It's the Chi Mei Museum in Tainan Metropolitan Park.

I’d heard from friends ages ago how beautiful this “park” was... over and over. This time, I had to see it for myself, Up indeed. Yep—this building that looks like Versailles is actually in Taiwan. Even before Tainan Metropolitan Park opened, it had already drawn lots of attention, and the still-under-construction Chi Mei Museum was something everyone was eagerly anticipating...

Walking around the park and snapping photos, every corner is so picturesque you’ll want to keep the memories. I even brought an extra telephoto lens this time to capture things more clearly. The weather today was so nice, the clouds seemed to be stacked up in the sky just to complement the photos. Tainan Metropolitan Park is huge—especially in front of the Chi Mei Museum, it's perfect for wedding photoshoots. It’s like being in front of the Palace of Versailles in France. I’d love to take wedding photos here again. Hehe~

Stepping into the park, we curiously wandered toward the under-construction Chi Mei Museum, admiring its exterior and taking photos. We fully soaked in the European castle vibe—every building, every window, even the plants, made us feel like we'd stepped into Europe. No wonder so many people love coming here.

A beautiful and romantic journey through European castles without needing to spend a fortune abroad. Tainan Metropolitan Park is already steeped in rich European castle vibes. The beauty of medieval architecture lets you take in the scenery at every turn.

The small bridge, flowing water, and blue sky with white clouds in front of the museum look like a court painting—absolutely stunning. It lets us experience rich European charm without leaving the country.

The new Chi Mei Museum building is currently under construction in the park and is expected to be completed and open in June 2014. The main structure of the actual museum in the distance is mostly finished, which is truly exciting.

When you see a scene like this, you’d think it was a view from the Palace of Versailles in France, right? That’s right—this building that looks like Versailles is actually in Taiwan. It’s the Chi Mei Museum in Tainan, which is set to open next June. Admission might even be free then. This gorgeous museum and the metropolitan park will soon become a brand-new tourist attraction in Greater Tainan. As a local, I can’t wait for that day to come.

Tainan Metropolitan Park is located in Rende District. Originally land owned by Taiwan Sugar, it was jointly developed by the government and private sectors, covering a total area of 100 hectares, with the park itself spanning 66 hectares—making it the third-largest urban park in Taiwan. Chi Mei Corporation donated NT$1.5 billion to build the museum on a 9.5-hectare plot within the park. The structure has one basement level and two above-ground floors, with an overall Baroque-style exterior.

Although there aren’t many large trees in the park and some plants were only recently planted, the shade during the day isn’t great. It’s best to bring an umbrella or visit during dusk. There’s plenty of green space here where kids can run around freely or fly kites. There’s also a children’s island with multiple play facilities.

Due to the vastness of the park, it takes a few hours to explore. Facilities include: Children’s Island, Landscape Lake, Arched Bridge, Green Space, Scenic Walkways, Large Lawns, Fitness & Wellness Area, Service Center, Performance Plaza, and complete bike paths. We walked from the entrance to Children’s Island and began our romantic, colorful journey through the park’s landscaping. Strolling leisurely and taking your time is the best way to enjoy the views.

What a huge mushroom. From the parking lot, you can see this fresh, big mushroom, which attracts everyone to come take photos. It’s actually the restroom at Tainan Metropolitan Park. The design is super cute.

This adorable mushroom-shaped (or really, mushroom/shiitake-shaped) restroom is one of the most popular spots for photos. I saw many people, just like me, snapping away with their cameras. You’ve got to check this place out first when you visit. Hehehe…

There’s a little island in the park called “Children’s Island,” which offers play facilities for kids, including a performance stage, curved seating, mushroom-shaped restrooms, and management offices...

The small, cute treehouses are actually not for kids, but rather for adults who chat, admire the scenery, and take photos up there. I went up and walked around too... Hehehe.

A white stone bridge with classical design spans across the pond. On both sides are expansive ecological ponds. With the clear blue sky, white clouds, and gentle breeze, it gives off a peaceful and comforting vibe.

Children’s Island is just one small part of the metropolitan park. To get to the “Chi Mei Museum” from here, you must cross a large white stone bridge. Each pier has a lion guarding it, making it feel like the bridge in front of Versailles... though that might be thinking too much.

Tainan Metropolitan Park is located along the provincial highway from Rende to Kaohsiung. The parkland is covered with vast grasslands and planted with many trees, featuring horticultural landscaping, dedicated cycling paths, pedestrian walkways, and resting benches for visitors. The public facilities are well-developed.

Tainan Metropolitan Park has that European romantic and laid-back charm, and what’s most captivating is its outdoor garden landscaping—an amazing spot to use up plenty of film.

Though I’d seen pictures of Tainan Metropolitan Park online before, experiencing it in person is even more moving. Every view here is a prime spot for photography. From different angles, each offers unique beauty—truly using up a lot of camera memory...

The signboards show such exciting prospects. The exterior of the Chi Mei Museum has a classic design, and it looks quite beautiful in person. Unfortunately, the interior is still under construction.

The building, full of European architectural style, makes you feel like you’re in Europe when walking across the white stone bridge. So beautiful.

On sunny days, strolling through a French-style garden is an incredibly enjoyable experience. Versailles is the most magnificent palace in French history, and yet there’s one in Tainan too. With its charming bridges and flowing water, the scenery is truly like being in 18th-century Versailles.

No matter which angle you look from, the white building’s exterior looks even more stunning against the blue sky and white clouds...

The Chi Mei Museum, filled with rich exotic charm, resembles the classical architecture of France’s Versailles. Strolling through it feels like being abroad. The golden glow of sunset paints the entire museum, and the beautiful interplay of light is truly moving.

The exterior of the European-style castle makes you feel like you’ve taken a trip to Europe, enjoying that European romance and leisure. Though it’s just imagination, it brings a sense of foreign romance that fills you with happiness.

From the park trails, the vivid contrast of the leaves captivated our attention, and no matter which angle you view it from, the museum offers a visually dreamlike experience. This building, resembling the Palace of Versailles, is indeed in Taiwan. Even before the opening of the Tainan Metropolitan Park, it had already drawn a lot of attention, and the Chimei Museum, still under construction at the time, was something everyone looked forward to opening....

The white European-style building is the Chimei Museum. Seeing that white European-style domed structure—is absolutely worth it. It stretches 150 meters in length, is 42 meters high, and cost 1.3 billion NTD to build—truly magnificent.

In the park, you can truly embrace nature, enjoy being enveloped by the natural environment, with the babbling streams bringing a rustic charm. Amidst the lush greenery, it fills you with boundless openness, allowing you to fully enjoy the leisure and joy of the countryside. The white museum, under the azure sky, presents a different kind of serene beauty. One can imagine that once the museum is completed, Tainan will have yet another cultural and artistic venue to admire, as well as a new highlight for enjoying the beautiful lakeside scenery.

Does the castle in the photo make you feel like you're in the Palace of Versailles? Actually, no—it's not. It’s a castle located within Tainan Metropolitan Park. Isn’t this the Palace of Versailles? No, it’s the Chimei Museum in Tainan Metropolitan Park.

The 5-hectare landscape detention pond in the park is not only a visual focal point but also serves the function of retaining floodwater during heavy rains.

The river in front of the museum resembles a moat encircling it. Walking along the moat, you can admire the park’s diverse scenes, where every corner is a picturesque beauty like a painting.
It’s impossible not to be filled with admiration.

The ecological pond is planted with various aquatic plants and vegetation that attract birds and butterflies. The landscape detention pond has become a habitat and foraging environment for resident and migratory birds, insects, and plants. Along the waterside boardwalk, visitors can get up close to the water without disturbing wildlife, and also gaze out at the beautiful lake views...

Tainan Metropolitan Park & Chimei MuseumLongitude: 120.223904    Latitude: 22.936697
No. 62, Section 2, Wenhua Road, Renhe District, Tainan County (next to Provincial Highway 86, east-west expressway)    06-266-4780
Official Website: http://tour.tainan.gov.tw/view.aspx?sn=278
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
1. From National Freeway 1, connect to Provincial Highway 86 (east-west expressway) heading west. Exit at the Tainan Interchange, go north onto Erren Road (Provincial Highway 1, 342K), and you’ll arrive at Tainan Metropolitan Park.
2. From National Freeway 3, connect to Provincial Highway 86 (east-west expressway) heading west. Exit at the Tainan Interchange, go north onto Erren Road (Provincial Highway 1, 342K), and you’ll arrive at Tainan Metropolitan Park.

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