By Eryk Michael Smith / Staff
CHAIYI — Southern Taiwan is renowned for its mountains, beaches, and near year-round warm weather, so it’s understandable that many people want to enjoy outdoor activities. But the region also offers several museums worth the trip, and the National Palace Museum Southern Branch (國立故宮博物院南部院區) in Chiayi County (嘉義縣) arguably belongs near the top of that list.
Located a short distance from Chiayi High-Speed Rail Station (嘉義高鐵站), the museum is easily accessible from Kaohsiung in approximately half an hour by Taiwan High-Speed Rail. The HSR ticket is extremely affordable, plus there’s a free shuttle bus from the HSR Station. While the museum’s permanent galleries alone justify a visit, the institution also hosts regularly rotating special exhibitions.
One current exhibition, running through May 10, 2026, explores how East Asia was represented in historical maps and images from the 14th to the 19th centuries, offering visitors a fascinating look at how the region understood the wider world.
The museum also frequently receives loaned artifacts from the National Palace Museum in Taipei (國立故宮博物院).
The photos included with this article were taken by Eryk Michael Smith during a visit in late 2025 and show part of a permanent gallery featuring Buddhist statues and imagery from across Asia. Some of the pieces reflect surprising cross-cultural influences, including artistic styles that scholars say were shaped in part by ancient Greek art traditions transmitted along early trade routes.
