Taiwan's culture and arts scene is evolving at an ever rapid pace, with designers and artists establishing themselves as innovators on the global design scene. As a result, creative and cultural parks in Taiwan are popular attractions for both tourists and the local communities.  Visitors to Taiwan's major cities will discover art installations, exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year in addition to festivals and performances which showcase some of the country's most pioneering artists.

Taipei

Taiwan's capital city, Taipei, is home to an inspiring collection of contemporary art galleries which showcase the very best in Chinese and international art. The eclectic capital city has streets full of art cafes like the Salt Peanuts art café. Salt Peanuts houses a gallery with works by local artists as well as a DJ booth and outside, the walls are reserved for graffiti artists.

Huashan Cultural Park is a popular hub for local creatives and artisans to share ideas. Housed on a former sugar factory, the remodelled warehouses host live music performances, bars and shops which sell innovative Taiwanese products. The park is a good example of how Taiwan's former industrial hubs have been totally transformed to give a new meaning to the phrase 'Made in Taiwan'.

For more information please visit www.huashan1914.com/en/

As the first art institute in Taiwan to be dedicated solely to contemporary art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei is one of the most visited galleries in the state as well as the city. In a stark contrast to its historic architectural location, the artwork on display here is both innovative and aesthetically current. Exhibiting a mixture of visual art, architectural design, fashion and media technologies; the gallery strives to represent a variety of artists both from Taiwan and from across the waters. Alongside the revolving program of exhibitions, MOCA also hosts a fantastic mix of one-off art classes, long term art courses and summer art camps to get the local community involved in and excited by contemporary art.

For more information please visit www.mocataipei.org.tw/

Located in the Xinyi District of Taipei, the Songshan Cultural Park is a hub for artistic, cultural and creative events, and is set in a historic tobacco factory. Within the creative park sits the Taiwan Design Museum which focuses on the industrial and commercial design from around Taiwan and the rest of the world and the Red Dot Museum which features some of Taipei's best industrial products.

For more information please visit www.songshanculturalpark.org/en/

Taichung

Taichung is a charming city synonymous with culture, art and music with an entire district in the city dedicated to the arts.

The CMP District Gallery of Arts is the first designated culture and creativity district in Taiwan. The area has invited the participation of artists from various fields and specialist retailers with the aim of creating an arts district with a local character. The museum is between the National Museum of Natural Science and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts and is linked to Calligraphy Greenway, development. It adopts following the 'district gallery' concept, whereby the environment of the city streets is transformed to give the area and the city an artistic feel. In the surrounding area there are a number of stores where artists gather, giving a bohemian atmosphere to the city.

For more information please visit http://travel.taichung.gov.tw/en-us/Experience/Culture

At Carton King Creativity Park in Taichung, almost everything is made of corrugated paper – from tables and chairs, to plates and even the pots where you can cook your own hotpot at the restaurant!

https://www.rtaiwanr.com/taichung-city/carton-king-taichung

The Taichung Cultural & Creative Industries Park was founded in 2011 after being home to Taiwan's largest wine factory, and is considered an important hub where the creative industries across the city are promoted. Many of the original structures from the factory still remain, adding to the historical feel. The park is home to a number of historic exhibition halls which exhibit some of the best works from modern designers, contemporary products and architects.

For more information please visit www.tccip.boch.gov.tw/tccp/

Kaohsiung

Today's Kaohsiung has largely been transformed from grim industrial warrens into a modern urban landscape of shiny cafes, wide streets, river- and harbour-side parks, public transport, bicycle lanes, and cultural venues that have embraced the manufacturing past.

Even Kaohsiung's MRT stations, along with the city's public art works, turn urban space into an art gallery. For example, at Formosa Boulevard station, the aboveground station structure, designed by Japanese architect Shin Takamatsu, is shaped like hands clasped in prayer; while in the station concourse the “Dome of Light” created by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata is the world's largest public art work made of glass.

For more information please visit http://www.kcg.gov.tw/

Once an abandoned warehouse, the Pier2 Art Centre, is a historic centre full of character and charm, making it the perfect location for artists and visitors to come together to enjoy modern art. Recently, the art centre has been host to a number of cultural and creative events including the Chinese Character Exhibition, Kaohsiung International Steel & Iron Sculpture Festival and the Wall Moon Theatre, and 2016 will see the 'Little Red Riding Hood's Train Journey to Candy House' exhibition between July and September. The Pier2 Art Centre is open Monday – Thursday 10am – 6pm, and Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 8pm.

For more information please visit www.pier-2.khcc.gov.tw/eng/home01.aspx?ID=1

For further information on Taiwan please visit http://eng.taiwan.net.tw

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