I’ve finally arrived at the Gold Museum. I’ve been to Jiufen many times and seen the Golden Waterfall more than once, but somehow I always just passed by the Gold Museum without ever going in. It’s bizarre—I’ve even waited at the main entrance for a bus and then… nothing happened. Don’t ask me why I never went inside; such a philosophical question is left for you to ponder. There was once a tiny spark of curiosity, but it quickly fizzled out because my companions weren’t interested.
This time I almost walked away from the entrance again, purely because I didn’t know where to go. It was only when my parents half-heartedly suggested, “Well, since it’s the only place left we haven’t seen, let’s just give it a look,” that I agreed. That’s how reluctantly I came—only because the weather was nice; otherwise, I would have just said goodbye. The chance I’ll pass this way again in the future is probably almost zero.
The park grounds are actually quite large. Even if you don’t buy a ticket to go inside the museum, you can still take a stroll—provided the weather holds up. I’m not sure how crowded it gets on weekends, though! Also, if you’re curious about gold-panning methods, there’s a hands-on experience you can try.
The on-site restaurant wasn’t very appealing. Nearby there’s a shop selling bento meals and souvenirs.
Look for this logo—but don’t bother with the ice cream; it wasn’t very good, and it’s overpriced. You’d be better off popping into the convenience store next door!
The one thing everyone seems to be interested in is this: a giant gold ingot.
Here are some of the machines left over from past mining operations.
This path sees very few visitors. The slope up is quite steep, and I heard the view at the top is wonderful—but I gave up right here and waited for the others to come back down. There’s even a small shrine up there!
How should I describe this museum? Its historical significance is undeniable, and it preserves valuable knowledge. But you really need an interest in geology and minerals to avoid feeling bored; otherwise, you’ll probably only think, “Oh, pretty rocks,” and nothing more. Besides, its location is out of the way—people much prefer to go to Jiufen, or once they’re in Jiufen, they stay there. Most tourists won’t make the extra trip here. And don’t even get me started on foreign visitors—there aren’t many, and locally it’s not very crowded either!
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