Budai 543 Story Museum Introduction
At the entrance of the Budai 543 Story Museum, there is an installation art piece called "Budai Mouth," which is the old name of Budai. The museum was formerly known as the "Bureau of Tariffs, Kaohsiung Customs, Budai Detention Center," commonly referred to by locals as the "Customs." It now uses art curation to showcase the historical changes and cultural features of Budai, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of Budai in an innovative and fun way. The first floor of the museum presents the 400-year history of Budai through paintings, with each artwork representing a specific colonial period: the prehistoric period, the Dutch and Zheng period, the Qing period, the Japanese rule, and the post-World War II period. During the early post-war period, Budai was known for its thriving maritime trade with China, earning the nickname "Little Shanghai of Budai." The children's reading room in the museum is modeled after the bustling shiphouses of that time, featuring tatami flooring where children can sit and read picture books. The exterior is decorated with elements from well-known shops of the time, such as Yongle Tea House and Night Fragrance, as well as commodities like rice and sugar, which were the highest exports then, highlighting the glory of Budai in the past. The second-floor exhibition area uses old photographs and installation art to depict the daily lives of Budai residents. One stunning piece is a "3D painting," which appears to be a flat oil painting in photographs; however, it is actually a large installation art where the artist has painted everyday furniture in vibrant colors to resemble a painting, allowing visitors to feel as if they have transformed into the main character of the artwork. Next time you visit Budai, besides enjoying delicious seafood at the fish market and admiring the High Heel Church, don't forget to stop by the Budai 543 Story Museum to learn about the rich history of Budai through an artistic experience.
