This is the first article of my Day Trip from Taipei Series. When it comes to Taipei day trips, many travelers often choose to visit Jiufen, Shifen, or Yehliu Geopark. While the Juming Museum is a relatively lesser-known destination, I decided to write about it first. This sculpture park with a mountain view is worth the visit, especially for those who appreciate arts and nature. Find more about why I recommend the Juming Museum as a day trip destination to include in your Taipei itinerary.
Also, stay tuned for more articles in the series in the future!
See also: Taipei Day Trip to Yingge Ceramics Old Street, Pingxi, and Wulai Hot Spring.
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Who is Ju Ming?
Juming (朱銘), or Ju Ming, is an internationally-renowned Taiwanese sculptor and artist. His legal name is Ju Chuan-Tai (朱川泰). (Ju is his last name. In Taiwan, the family name comes before the given name.)
At the age of 15, he started as a wood-carving apprentice to the famous local artisan Lee Chin-Chuan. He later studied modern sculpture with the renowned sculptor Yuyu Yang and began to pursue his artistic career. He successfully debuted as a wood-carving artist in 1976. But his artistic creativity came to full fruition between the 1980s and 1990s when he created his most acclaimed sculpture series – Taichi and Living World.
His artworks have been internationally acclaimed and exhibited in Taipei, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, New York, London, Paris, Berlin and many more cities around the world.
Juming Museum (朱銘美術館)
Juming Museum presents the most extensive collection of Juming’s artworks from 1987 to date. Situated in 11 hectares surrounded by lush forests in Jinshan District, the sculpture park features large outdoor exhibition areas, indoor galleries and teahouses.
The artist purchased the property to build the sculpture park and personally designed the architecture and landscapes. He donated more than 2,000 artworks to the museum at the time of the museum opening in 1991. The museum adds his latest collection as Ju Ming continues with his creation.
Location: Open Google Map
Open Days: Tuesday – Sunday. Open on select Mondays. (Closed for 10-20 days before Lunar New Year.)
Museum Hours: May-Oct. 10 am – 6 pm | Nov. – Apr. 10 am – 5 pm
Admission: NT$280 (Included in Taipei Fun Pass) | Seniors (65+) & Students: NT$250 | Groups of 15+ ppl. or students of art major: NT$220 | Disabled: NT$140 | Children under 6: Free
Ju Ming Sculpture Series
Juming Museum presents a series of the artist’s sculptures and hand-drawings. Each set reflects the core values of Ju Ming’s life and art.
The Taichi Series (太極)
Ju Ming is perhaps best known for his Taichi Series. And it is my personal favorite, too. The Taichi series embodies Ju Ming’s signature style. These Taichi sculptures feature straight lines and rough cuts in chunky figures. While the artist doesn’t stress curves or delicate details, I am awed by how he shows the energy flowing in the air.
Taichi Series – Single Whip (1986)
This cast bronze sculpture is one of the most acclaimed works in the Taichi Series to feature both the stability and mobility of Taichi.
Taichi Series – Taichi Arch (2001)
Taichi Arch is the finale of his Taichi Series with 30 artworks. Taichi essentially is all about the flow of energy “chi.” This piece translates the abstract mass of chi into concrete sculpture. Can you feel the force?
We had a fun time copying the Taichi postures of these sculptures!
The Nativist Series (鄉土)
The Nativist Series highlights Taiwan’s rural life and traditional culture. Ju Ming is from a small town in Miaoli County in Taiwan and has a deep admiration of the country life and the people.
The Living World Series (人間)
The Living World Series touched upon on the broadest range of topics from military to scientists to sports. Ju Ming also likes to experiment with different materials in his Living World Series sculptures, featuring stainless steel, copper, bronze, etc.
Living World Series – Parachutes
The Parachutes Collection is less a sculpture but more of an art installation. It is incredible to see the (bronze) jumpers hanging on the (stainless steel) parachutes in the air. See if you can feel the excitement of the jumpers!
Living World Series – the Armed Forces
The Armed Forces collection presents more than 300 life-size military sculptures and a giant navy boat as a tribute to all the military forces.
Living World Series – Scientists
Interestingly, the Scientist collection is painted in white, which is a contrast to Ju Ming’s other colorful sculptures.
Living World Series – Mother Memorial
The Mother Memorial collection portrays the relationships between mother and children. There is a memorial stone in the Mother Memorial square. It was all written in Chinese, so I didn’t understand what it said. But I’m guessing it says something along the lines of the artist’s tribute to his mother who passed away.
Living World Series – Sports
The Sports collection is all about the dynamic movement and the energy of the athletes in action. The bodies of the athletes are portrayed as bulky and fluffy.
Living World Series – Ballet
His latest work in this series is Ballet. The new collection feature materials like polished stainless steel and bronze to accentuate the graceful beauty of the feminine body and ballerina’s posture.
Unfortunately, I missed the Ballet collection at the time of my visit. Although I only saw the photos, I much like this collection compared to Ju Ming’s previous Living World Series. I hope I get to see it in person someday.
Living World of Ink – Freehanding the World
Instead of the Ballet collection, I got to see his ink paintings. I don’t think you can view this exhibit anymore. But I wanted to share Ju Ming’s freehand drawings that highlight his unconstrained artistic style.
Ju Jun’s Zipper Series
The Zipper Series is not the creation of Ju Ming. It was created by his eldest son Ju Jun, who is also a sculptor. The collection includes the Zipper Tent, the Zipper Pond, etc.
Museum Teahouse
Juming Museum has the museum cafe and Teahouse, as well as Big Mouth Children Restaurant. We took a rest at the Teahouse near Taichi Square.
How to Get There: From Taipei to Juming Museum
North Coast Shuttle Bus
Take the North Coast shuttle bus by Taiwan Tourism Board from MRT Tamsui Station (NT$160 for a one-day pass). Get off at the Juming Museum stop.
Stops include: MRT Tamsui Station — Keelung Railway Station – Juming Museum
Public Bus
From Taipei Main Station bus terminal, take Kuo-Kuang Bus. Get off at Jinshan District Office stop. Take the complimentary museum shuttle bus.
Museum Shuttle Bus (Free)
Wait for the museum van in front of the Jinshan District Office. See the complimentary shuttle schedule below.
Tue. – Fri.
Departing from the Jinshan District Office: 10:30 am, 2 pm
Departing from the Juming Museum: 1:40 pm, 5 pm
Sat.-Sun. & Public Holidays
Departing from the Jinshan District Office: 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2 pm
Departing from the Juming Museum: 1:40 pm, 3:40 pm, 5 pm
A Guide to Taipei Old Town
Interested in Taiwan’s historic places? See the Glamor of Old Taipei during its Golden Age. Don’t miss Dadaocheng and Dihua Street.
Additional Stops En Route to Taipei
Located in Jinshan District, Juming Museum is a short distance away from other attractions along Taiwan’s North Coast. With a bit of planning, you can visit another nearby destination in one day. These additional destinations I’m suggesting below are conveniently on your way back to Taipei. However, I recommend you only choose one stop; two would be too rushed.
Here are some ideas for you!
Jinshan Old Street
Jinshan Old Street is super close to the Juming Museum. Take the museum shuttle bus and come down from the mountain. From the Jinshan District Office, it only takes 3 min on foot.
Jinshan Hot Spring
Why not soak in the hot spring waters to relax before returning to the city? The volcanic national park in Jinshan District is high up in the mountain with a stunning view. If you are not into going skinny-dipping in public, you can wear swimsuits in this resort.
If you are looking for an action, you can go stand-up paddle boarding. The location is super close to Jinshan Old Street or Hot Spring.
Yehliu Geopark
After my visit to the Juming Museum, I hopped over to Yehliu Geopark (buy the ticket here) before heading back to Taipei. See the famous Queen’s Head and other unique formation of rocks!
From Juming Museum to Yehliu Geopark: Take #862 Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (30 min; NT$30)
Wanli Beach
I’m not suggesting swimming on Wanli Beach. This beach is known for the abandoned UFO village.
From Juming Museum to Wanli Beach: Take #862 Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (50 min; NT$56)
>> Whether you are planning for a Taipei trip now or adding on your travel bucket list for the future, be sure to check out my Taiwan Travel Tips and Taipei Travel Guides:
- Taipei in 3 Days
- A Guide to Taipei Old Town
- 6 Historical Places to Visit in Taipei
- Taipei Hotel Review: An Award-winning Design Hotel
- Where to Find the Best Pineapple Cake in Taipei
- Yong Kang Street: A Food Paradise of Taipei
Happy Planning!
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