Although it’s not the easiest place to find (see our GPS coordinates below), we here at WoWasis think the National Museum of Prehistory in the southeastern Taiwanese city of Taitung is definitely worth a visit in you’re in the area. The building itself is gorgeous, designed by noted architect Michael Graves, and the displays are well-done. On the second floor, you’ll become acquainted with the prehistoric Austronesian peoples of Taiwan, including the Changbin group. Throughout the museum, you’ll find an outstanding array of artifacts, including pottery, jade, farm and hunting implements, coffins, megaliths, and stone wheels.

Log carver, Peinan Cultural Park

Within a mile or so is the Peinan (Beinan) Culture Park, housed on the site of a 2,000 year old Peinan town, with a smattering of wood houses representing Taiwan’s aboriginal peoples, an ongoing archaeological dig, and a visitor center. In addition to the archaeological work, you’ll see artisans here as well, such as the carver of aboriginally-decorated logs that we saw on our visit. These venues are located at Taitung, southern terminus of the East Coast National Scenic Area.

National Museum of Prehistory
1 Museum Road
Taiting
Tel: (089) 381-166
http://en.nmp.gov.tw/about01.html
GPS: N22°45.631’  E121°05.556’
Open Tuesday-Sunday

Peinan Culture Park
200 Culture Park Road
Nanwang, Taitung
Tel: (089) 233-466
GPS: N22°47.650’  E121°06.972’
Open Tuesday-Sunday