The Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines is located one block away from Taipei’s  National Palace Museum, and is a must for visitors wishing to learn more about Taiwan’s indigenous aboriginal peoples, which include the Amis, Atayal, Bunun, Kavalan, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Saisiyat, Sakizaya, Sediq, Thao, Truku (Taroko), Tsou, and Yami (Tao) tribes.

It was opened in 1994, and originally based on the collection of Shung Ye Group Chairman Safe C. F. Lin. Now housing over 1,000 items, the museum continues its research, collection, and field studies activities. Here, you’ll find wonderful exhibits on the clothing, implements, weapons, utensils, songs and dances, and marriage ceremonies of these groups. The museum also has what we here at WoWasis believe is probably the best selection of English language books relating to different ethnicities in Taiwan, and the guidebook (in English) is well worth buying, and essentially a book in itself.

The museum can easily be visited in one-two hours, and often features dancers and musicians performing aboriginal music and dance on its front steps. The National Palace  and Shung Ye Museums have combined on a special rate for a ticket to both museums. It’s not highly advertised, but all you have to do is ask at either one.

Shung YeMuseum of Formosan Aborigines
282 Jhihshan Road
Tel: (02) 2841-2611
Open Tuesday-Sunday
http://www.museum.org.tw/SYMM_en/index.htm
MRT stop Shilin, then take Red #30 bus