By Lishea Cheng Translated by Judy Chao

      After a long wait of five years, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts has finally reopened to welcome visitors back on July 3!

      The blend of new and old architecture gives a sense of classic elegance, as if making a silent record of its history. Roaming through the corridors, every corner presents a new surprise: the courtyard, which welcomes the warming sunlight to spill through its glass roof onto the cheeks of those beneath; the lively sculpture of an angelic little girl, happily greeting the visitors at the entrance of the museum; and the modern-looking bridge, which presents a spectacular view through its glass floor of the garden below.

      Walking through the eutrance, you first see an elegant gift shop and an outdoor cafe with a pleasant view. To the left of the information counter are graceful winding steps to the Shia Ting Hall, which is currently house an exhibition for sketches: “Owls’Visit to the Island.” One flight up takes you to the coffee bar on the second floor. The third floor holds a collection of 50 to 60 thousand volumes of treasures, which includes books, multimedia projection room, Cds and videotapes. On the official website (www.tmoa.gov.tw) there's also a section created for those who want to share their artwork with the public. Within the projection room sits three 63-inch TV screens, which introduce selective world museums, renowned artists, documentaries and literary lectures. One drawback is that the information center is currently only opened to children 12 and up. With an annual fee of NT$50 you can gain access to the documents in the museum.

      The exhibition halls are divided by the bridge into East and West Hall. The East Hall to the right side has exhibitions by invitation and application, experimental exhibitions, and a multi-functional resting area which includes a restaurant and a multimedia Internet cafe and bookstore. The West Hall places a heavier emphasis on the academics, stressing exhibitions from research and international exchanges.
All of the above includes services to guide parents and children through a tour of beauty and creativity. “Games, Art & Play”, presented by Xue Wan Dong, is a fun-filled themed exhibition. If you can't make it to the museum in person, don't fret. Simply log on to the official website (www. tmoa.gov.tw) and admire artwork in the comfort of home.

2, WuQuan West Rd., Sec 1
(04) 2372-3552
Hours: 9 am-5 pm (Closed on Mondays)