Northern Taiwan is a blast to explore — 6 museums offer free admission all year round

With Taipei County soon to be upgraded to New Taipei City, six museums are offering free admission all year long until the end of the year. These include Tamsui Fort San Domingo, the 13th Shop Museum, Yingge Ceramics Museum, the Gold Museum, the Wulai Atayal Museum of Indigenous People, and the Lin Family Garden. They feature a rich mix of history, architecture, and culture, giving the public a great opportunity to experience the unique charm of museums in Northern Taiwan.

Museums are no longer just educational spaces for gaining knowledge — many unique museums also offer surprisingly fun and refreshing experiences. Located in the heart of Taiwan’s ceramics hub, the Yingge Ceramics Museum is a new venue showcasing traditional ceramic art. The exhibits range from ancient to modern pieces, yet the building itself boasts a highly contemporary design. The architect used exposed concrete to create this philosophical space, featuring a fully glass-walled central atrium that lets in abundant natural light, making the interior feel much more spacious. In addition to various visible ceramic artworks, the museum hides many unexpected “ceramic secrets” waiting for visitors to uncover.

Situated along the coast near Bali, the 13th Shop Museum is an archaeology-themed museum that offers a variety of interactive facilities to help visitors learn about archaeology. Some are realistic dioramas simulating historical scenes, while others are designed as mini-games or hands-on experience zones, allowing guests to learn through play. This archaeology museum holds the legacy of an ancient civilization that flourished over a thousand years ago. On holidays, the coastal walkway is often filled with people out for strolls or bike rides. Across the water lies Tamsui Fort San Domingo, now a first-class historic site, extensively renovated during the British Consular period. To help visitors better understand the fort’s history, each room includes explanations of its architectural structure and past usage. Exploring the fort’s past is like reading the modern history of Hobe.

Banqiao’s Lin Family Garden is currently the best-preserved classical garden architecture in Taiwan and a treasure trove for understanding Taiwan’s history and traditional buildings. Its grand scale, refined material selection, and intricate construction techniques have earned it recognition as a quintessential example of Qing Dynasty gardens in Taiwan. Another place to glimpse Taiwan’s history is the Gold Museum, which is like a secret box locking away memories of the old mining days, telling stories of the region’s once-glorious gold rush. Although Jinguashi no longer has active gold mines, the old mines and streets remain, and their unique nostalgic vibe attracts new visitors eager to explore the area’s historic charm.

Wulai is the only mountain indigenous township in Taipei County, home mainly to the Atayal people. Visitors here can experience the warm and simple culture of the Atayal tribe. The Wulai Atayal Museum of Indigenous People displays the area’s history, culture, and mountain specialties, especially the distinctive Atayal totems. Come here to experience the “stories of the tribe”!

Tamsui Fort San Domingo
Address: No. 1, Lane 28, Zhongzheng Road, Tamsui District
Website: http://www.tshs.tpc.gov.tw/

Bali 13th Shop Museum
Address: No. 200, Museum Road, Bali District
Website: http://www.sshm.tpc.gov.tw/

Yingge Ceramics Museum
Address: No. 200, Wenhua Road, Yingge District
Website: http://www.ceramics.tpc.gov.tw/

Ruifang Gold Museum
Address: No. 8, Jinguang Road, Jinguashi, Ruifang District
Website: http://www.gep.tpc.gov.tw/

Wulai Atayal Museum of Indigenous People
Address: No. 12, Wulai Street, Wulai District
Website: http://www.atayal.tpc.gov.tw/

Banqiao Lin Family Garden
Address: No. 9, Ximen Street, Banqiao District
Website: http://www.linfamily.tpc.gov.tw/

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