Tainan: Anping Tree House 安平樹屋

On a recent trip to Tainan, we revisted the magical Anping Tree House (安平樹屋).  The children had learned about the banyan tree in their "生活 (social studies)" class, so they knew more than me about how the tree grows and spreads over other trees or, in this case, buildings.

This building actually has a history of its own.  It used to be a warehouse for Tait & Co, which was one of the top five British trading companies in the area during the Japanese Occupation. Grownups can read about the history of the company and visit the building next door. Children can learn a little about this, or just enjoy the mystery of the trees growing inside and outside the building.

 At the back of the building, there is a fish pond. Fish food is NT10 per tube.  You can feed the carp and turtles.  There is also a walkway along the estaury that can be accessed from the back gate.

The gift shop, ice-cream stand, and coffee shop add to the tourist-feel of this historic site.

Opening Hours: 8:30am to 5:30pm
Entrance:  50/Adult, 25/Discount Ticket
Free entrance for Tainan citizens with I.D.

台灣台南市安平區安北路194號
No. 194, Anbei Road, Anping District, Tainan City
Age Recommendation: All ages.

Trip To Tainan - Holocaust Museum

A few weeks ago, we went to Tainan, because my son was performing in the musical Zeelandia there.  We managed to visit a few places over the space of three days.  I'll share them with you on the blog as I get to them.

I'm starting with the interesting one that is not really related to children.  On our drive out of Tainan, I spotted a church that is also Taiwan's only Holocaust Museum. 

It is also reputed to be the world's smallest Holocaust museum.

I think it's probably the only one to be situated opposite a 7-11.

You can read about Messianic Judaism here.

We were lucky to run into the congregation and find out a little about the church and museum, even though we could not get in at such short notice. I hope we can get a chance to visit and learn more about this church and the history they want to share. 

They have a good number of English speakers in the congregation.

Location: Close to BaoAn station, Tainan County, Taiwan

22° 55' 45.8904" N, 120° 13' 51.5964" E

 

 

 預約及參觀方法：
‧10人以上團體：參觀時間為每週二 ~ 週六。 個人或少數：參觀時間為週六。(請提前一周預約) Groups of 10 or more can visit Tues-Sat.  Less than 10, please come Saturday. Everyone needs to book one week in advance.

‧酌收清潔費：大人(國小以上) 100元。 小孩(國小以下)50元。 Adults NT100, children NT50

預約之後，將會有專門導覽人員以及授課，由於本館空間有限，故透過解說，可更加的了解本館的意義及精隨。A dedicated guide will give you a tour and explain everything to you.

預約電話：(06) 266-1802
E-mail : logos4ac@yahoo.com.tw

*For information on religions in Taiwan and internationally, I highly recommend The Museum of World Religions.

 

National Museum of Taiwan History

I am delighted to offer a review of the  National Museum of Taiwan History (Tainan).
This piece is written by guest blogger Taiwanxifu, an Australian mom now living in Taiwan and blogging about local food and culture.


During a recent visit to Tainan, friends strongly suggested that we visit the newly opened National Museum of History. I was not so keen at first: would this be an overly nationalistic interpretation of Taiwan’s modern day history, I wondered? And would our toddler get bored?

I need not have worried. The visit to the Museum ended up being one of the highlights of our visit. Taiwanxifu Toddler had a ball enjoying all the interactive exhibits, Mr Taiwanxifu reminisced about things he remembered from growing up in Taiwan, I learnt some new things about Taiwan, and yes, we will definitely visit again.

The first thing you notice when you arrive at the newly constructed site in the industrial suburb of Annan is the huge solar powered panels surrounded by a lush water park. The museum is not only committed to preserving Taiwan’s history, but also to sustainability as well. More energetic visitors can climb up behind the panels to observe the view, but we were content to wander around the water-lined pathways to the entrance. When we next visit I will take a picnic lunch so that we can explore the park surrounding the pond behind the Museum. 

Our favourite exhibit was the mock railway trip. Crowded with school children on excursion, we were lucky to get enough spare tickets. The old-fashioned train rocked and swayed as if in motion, passing a cartoon depiction of Taiwan’s recent history – from modern Taipei featuring Taipei 101, to colonial Japanese days with women wearing kimonos, the arrival of Koxinga’s ships attacking the Dutch, and finally through lush fields with indigenous people chasing deer. The children on the train had a wonderful time during the 15 minute slideshow, squealing each time the train lurched during mock bomb raids and spear throws. After the show, the train departed via a ‘tunnel’ that opened through a waterfall into an open-air park featuring oversized sculptures of Taiwan’s indigenous culture and aquatic biodiversity.

The second floor is dedicated to a permanent exhibition about people’s lives in Taiwan – Our Land, Our People: the Story of Taiwan. Wax figures are used to depict various scenes from social history. I loved the statues of a family assembling Christmas lights together. At one time it was common for companies to subcontract out simple production to families. My husband remembers how his family used to make crochet bags together in the early 1980s; to this day his brother can still crochet just as well as any competent grandma. Also on the second floor was an old-fashioned classroom, complete with wooden desks that you could sit on and a sign reminding students not to speak dialects (students were once fined if they spoke Taiwanese at school). And father and son posed in front of a picture of a rickshaw driver: my husband’s grandfather used to pull rickshaws during the Japanese colonial period, beaten more than once for his efforts by humorless soldiers.

The top floor features traveling exhibitions. The current one is about the history of Tainan city. Unfortunately, this exhibit did not include English signage although the permanent exhibitions are well marked. Still, I enjoyed looking at the old maps and antique items from Tainan’s early city. And once I discovered how to play it, took part in the touch-screen virtual temple ‘bai bai’ ritual, where you were allowed to ask for a particular fortune if you chose the right deity to ask.

The Museum opened in October 2011. To celebrate its grand opening entry is free during its first year of opening. Its new building is architecturally interesting, but for visiting families the modern facilities provide conveniences such as adequate lifts, and bathrooms that include breastfeeding spaces, nappy changing areas and even toilets designed for little people.

It is around twenty to thirty minutes from central Tainan (less from the High Speed Rail station), but is unfortunately not well serviced by public transportation. There is a bus service, but it only comes infrequently. But there are adequate car parking spaces so driving is probably the best option unless you go by taxi – the one way fare to Tainan is around NT$300. Museum staff will recommend taxi companies but will not book a taxi pickup service, which may be difficult without functional Chinese.

Website: http://www.nmth.gov.tw/enmain/
Address: No.250, Sec 1, Changhe Rd., Annan District, Tainan City 70946, Taiwan Telephone: +886-6 -3568889

Kaohsiung Children's Art Museum

I came across a website by the Council for Cultural Affairs, today.  I was really surprised to find out there is a Kaohsiung Children's Art Musem.  The museum looks pretty big, going by the images.  Unfortunately, there is no English description on the site at the moment.  From what I read, many of the exhibits at the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts that are for children are supplied by the Children's Art Museum.

At the CHILDREN'S Art Museum, they seem to have some funky exhibits, such as this one.  Have any adventurous souls taken their kids to check this museum out?

English Information here.

Address: 高雄兒童美術館101展覽室（馬卡道路330號） Ma-Ka Road, No. 330

Hours:
Tues-Fri 9-12, 1:30-4:30; Sat, Sun 9:30-5:30
週二至週五 上午9:00~12:00 下午1:30~4:30（中午休館清潔維護) 週六、日 9:30-17:30(中午不休館)
Tel: 07-5550331

Last Day! Paper Housing - A Room Of One's Own

The Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts(高雄市立美術館)  is hosting an exhibit of paper houses, and this runs until October 9.  The exhibit is described as a good way to teach children about architecture, and to encourage creativity in thinking about how we use space.

 

Address: 80 Meishuguan Road , Gushan District, Kaohsiung (高雄市鼓山區美術館路80號)

Tel: (07)5550331

Hours: 9:30-5:30, Tues-Sun

 

Official English Site

 

 

 

Fantasy World of Monsters at the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts

Running through to November 2011, Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts has an exhibit in the lobby.  From their official site:

Fantasy World of Monsters

Taking on theme of “monsters,” this exhibition ushers children into the fantasy world of monsters. The exhibits are creative, educative and interactive, inviting children to have fun and learn about art at the same time. The exhibition is divided into four sections: “Visit Ancient Monsters in the Mysterious Land,” “Summon Sacred Monsters,” “Make Friends with Monsters in the Magical Forest” and “Unleash Your Inner Monster.” By combining literature, myths, images of folklore cultures, and contemporary artistic creations, this exhibition inspires young viewers to broaden their learning horizons and then create their own fantasy world of monsters.

Address: Address: 80 Meishuguan Road, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
Detailed directions and opening hours info here.

Kaohsiung Children's Museum of Art

This museum is situated in Kaohsiung's Museum of Fine Art (高雄市立美術館).

Exhibit "Faces 100--Play Tricks with the Face" runs through until August 23, 2010.  This exhibit encourages children to do further studies of the face, and learn about the connection between emotions and expression.  Masks, dramatic theater, and  hands-on experiences work together to teach youngsters about the magic of the face.

Exhibition Venue: Gallery 101, Children's Museum of Art
Address:  80 Meishuguan Road, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Tel: (07)555-0331
Hours: Everyday, 9am-4:30pm
Website: http://english.kmfa.gov.tw/DesktopKMFA2.aspx?tabindex=6&tabid=6