Hsinchu County Museum of Art 新竹縣立美術館

Finding Fine Art

Although not famous for its art, Hsinchu still hosts a handful of spectacular museums within its city limits. No matter if you are in Hsinchu City or Hsinchu County, you’re bound to come across various art museums that will have you strolling the corridors taking, in every exhibit and painting. One of the best galleries by far is the Hsinchu County Museum of Fine Art.

Located in the heart of Zhubei, the Hsinchu County Museum of Art consists of 2 floors of wall-to-wall art and exhibits. And this is just the surface of everything they have to offer. The surrounding area also is home to parks, libraries, a living arts center, and so much more. You could spend hours wandering the grounds of the museum discovering everything from sculptures to gardens.

Looking for more to do in Zhubei? Be sure to check out this traditional park!

Bamboo Shoot Park

Directly in front of the Hsinchu County Museum of Art is the Zhubei Cultural Park (竹北文化公園). Although the city of Zhubei has a very short history. This central park has already seen better days. There are a few posters and signs highlighting what to do around the city, but other than the scattered maps, there is little that is “cultural” about this park.

One of the other names for the park is Bamboo Shoot Park (竹筍公園). This is now, somewhat, of a strange name considering the massive bamboo stalk has been demolished. This was due to leaking and damage in the underground car park. There is also a famous bridge nearby named the Cifu Bridge (賜福橋). The entire park seems to be in a transition. With construction going on in nearly every corner of the park, tourists can only hope for a more grandiose red carpet laying before the Museum of Art in the years to come.

If you’re wanting both food and culture, why not head over to the Japanese Ryotei in Hsinchu!

The Grounds

In contrast with the neighboring Bamboo Shoot Park, the grounds surrounding the Hsinchu County Museum of Art is actually gorgeous. With many contemporary and classical sculptures and art pieces spread out across the campus, you’ll constantly find yourself taking out your camera to take some pictures of something new. With art both new and old, the museum does a great job of highlighting everything that is great about the art scene in Taiwan.

The crowning jewel of the outside of the complex is actually the gates to the museum itself. With traditional panels which seem to have been taken straight out from a temple, visitors instantly get the sense that they are entering a tranquil environment. What really washes away the stress of the city is a relaxing fish pond. With benches and tables situated around the water, this courtyard is an inviting place to bring a book and relax as the day goes by.

One of the biggest up-and-coming cultural centers of Hsinchu is the General Village! Read more here!

The Galleries

With contrasts of light and dark, black and white, the design of the art gallery seems very contemporary. With exhibits cycling every few months, you can visit several times throughout the year and get totally different experiences. Compared with some of the other art museums in Hsinchu, Zhubei’s is massive. It could easily take you about an hour to explore just the first floor.

Other than paintings, the Hsinchu County Museum of Art also showcases multi-media art. This is done through many different mediums, such as sound, lights, and even bits of scrap paper thrown across the floor. The deeper meanings of these pieces can probably be more easily grasped by those who appreciate contemporary forms of art. Even for your casual art enjoyer, the museum will still spark your imagination.

One of the most spectacular museums in Hsinchu is Tiangong Tan! You can read more here!

More Than Just Art

Since its creation in 1996, the Hsinchu County Museum of Art has gone through many changes and expansions. The entire complex is massive. The grounds also host the Hsinchu County Living Arts Center, the Hsinchu County Public Library, and the Hsinchu County Archives.

Even if you’re just going for a quick stroll through Zhubei, you’ll want to at least cut through the Hsinchu County Museum of Art. The surrounding area is beautiful and is even set to get a facelift in the coming years. With traditional art, peaceful gardens, and kids skateboarding in the now gutted park, there is lots of life within the best museum in Hsinchu.

If you’re wanting to find all of the best things to do in Hsinchu, you can find a complete list here!