Toucheng, Yilan — Lanyang Museum

September 11, 2010 — Lanyang Museum, Toucheng, Yilan. Canon EOS 500D, 18–55mm F3.5–5.6.

My brother-in-law took us to a new attraction today: Lanyang Museum.

Whew...we had finally escaped our usual weekend routine of hiding from the heat in department stores. (Why do I suddenly feel someone glaring daggers at my back? .)

Of course, when our family leaves the house is basically determined by Lisa and Belle's mouths. Not because they get to make the decision...but because we cannot go anywhere until they finish. Every. Bite. Of. Lunch. >.<'"

The sky had been bright and sunny, but by the time we reached the North Coast it was covered in dark clouds. We were trying not to lose too much time, so we passed one beautiful stretch of coastline after another without stopping. To keep my vast readership satisfied, I finally pulled over and snapped a couple of quick photos.

North Coast scenery photographed on the way to Yilan — A quick roadside stop to record some of the coastal scenery we had been passing.

At first glance, this next one may not look like much. In photography, though, there is a technical term for those rays of light breaking through the clouds: “Jesus light.”

Sunbeams breaking through clouds above Taiwan's North Coast — Sunlight breaking through the clouds—Dad's not entirely successful attempt at photographing crepuscular rays.

Still cannot see it? Never mind. It has nothing to do with whether you have an eye for photography. The picture simply is not very good...

For a more convincing example, take a look at my Lake District post.

We made it...we made it. Coming along the coastal highway, the museum appeared just past Wushi Harbor. If you reached central Toucheng...you had gone too far.

Lanyang Museum as the family arrived in Toucheng — After passing Wushi Harbor, Lanyang Museum finally came into view.

Modern exterior architecture of Lanyang Museum — A different angle on the museum's striking modern lines.

The building had all the character of a modern museum. During our September 2010 visit it was still in its trial-opening period. The visitor route took us straight to the top floor, then led us down through the galleries.

Interior route leading to an upper exhibition level — The visitor route began at the top floor and worked its way downward.

Top-floor exhibition space at Lanyang Museum — At the top-floor gallery, ready to follow the exhibits downstairs.

The first displays in the upper gallery introduced Yilan's local plants, animals, and insects.

Yilan wildlife specimens displayed inside Lanyang Museum — The upper gallery introduced the plants, animals, and insects of Yilan.

As a rule, anything with more than four legs was not allowed into my photos. I might frighten myself. ~.~'"

The middle floor focused on Yilan's folk traditions and rural life.

Exhibition about Yilan folk traditions and rural life — The middle floor brought Yilan's folk traditions and rural life indoors.

One exhibit contained a model of the tall ceremonial structure used in Toucheng's Qianggu ritual. Toucheng was an important early base for Han settlers entering the Lanyang Plain. Local communities held Ghost Month rites for those who died during the region's settlement, concluding with the Qianggu ceremony on the final night of the lunar seventh month.

Model of the ceremonial Qianggu tower in Toucheng — A model recreates the tall structure used in Toucheng's Qianggu ceremony.

The Lanyang Plain is also one of Taiwan's rice-growing regions. Seeing so many “models” around the museum made it difficult not to think of Night at the Museum. ~.~'"

Figures depicting rice farming on the Lanyang Plain — Rice-farming figures from the Lanyang Plain—with enough models to recall Night at the Museum.

There was also traditional equipment once used to mill rice in farming communities.

Traditional rural rice-milling equipment on display — Traditional rice-milling equipment once used in farming communities.

So the museum was not only interestingly designed; it had plenty of meaning inside as well. I had grown this old without ever seeing many of these objects or scenes—let alone children today. @.@'"

Museum scene depicting everyday life in historic Yilan — The displays gave adults and children a look at earlier ways of life.

Traditional household display at Lanyang Museum — Many of these everyday objects were unfamiliar even to Dad.

In the maritime gallery, Lisa announced, “When I grow up, I want to be a captain too...”

Lisa visiting the maritime exhibition — After seeing the maritime exhibits, Lisa announced that she wanted to become a captain.

Dad thought being a captain would be fine...although he might be even happier if she became the captain of a yacht. Heh...heh...

Belle using an interactive ecology touchscreen — For Belle, the moving touchscreen was more compelling than the ecology lesson.

Belle was not studying the multimedia ecology guide out of academic enthusiasm. She liked it because touching the screen made things move. .

The ground floor covered the history of the Lanyang Plain's development. We slipped inside just before 5:00 p.m.; by the time we came out, the crowds were gone and we could finally take a proper photo. ^.^

Lanyang Museum after most visitors had left — Near closing time, the crowds disappeared and there was finally room for a quiet photo.

Afterword

Just before reaching Lanyang Museum, there was a large, conspicuous Mr. Brown Café a little farther along the road. The interesting part was not its coffee or food. Beyond its parking area was a beautiful beach.

We had arrived too late to play there...what a shame.

And was the food any good? Considering how undemanding I am about steak—see Exhibit A and Exhibit B—my advice would have been to grab a slice of bread at 7-Eleven, hold out for the drive, and eat after getting back to Taipei. @.@'"

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