Budai 543 Story Museum Introduction
At the entrance of the Budai 543 Story Museum, there is an installation art piece called "Budai Mouth," named after Budai's old place name. The museum was formerly the "Bureau of Customs, Kaohsiung, Ministry of Finance Budai Detention Center," commonly referred to by locals as "Customs." Now, it showcases the historical changes and cultural aspects of Budai through innovative and interesting art exhibitions that allow visitors to gain a deep understanding of Budai. The first floor of the museum displays 400 years of historical changes in Budai through paintings, with each painting representing a colonial period: the prehistoric period, the Dutch and Zheng period, the Qing period, the Japanese occupation period, and the period after Taiwan's restoration. During the early restoration period, Budai's thriving maritime trade with China earned it the nickname "Budai Little Shanghai." The children’s reading room in the museum is modeled after the prosperous shiphouses of that time, featuring tatami flooring for children to sit on while reading picture books. The exterior is decorated with famous shops of the time, such as Yongle Tea Shop and Ye Lai Hsiang, as well as materials like rice and sugar, which were among the highest-export commodities, highlighting Budai's past glory. The second floor features old photographs and installation art that present the daily life of Budai residents, with one particularly stunning "3D painting" that looks like a flat oil painting but is actually a large installation art piece where the artist has painted the colors of real three-dimensional objects like tables and chairs, making visitors feel as if they have become the main character in the painting. The next time you visit Budai, besides tasting delicious seafood at the fish market and admiring the High Heel Church, don’t forget to come to the Budai 543 Story Museum to understand the rich history of Budai through its artistic experiences.
