TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In an unexpected development, the National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall has surpassed the esteemed National Palace Museum as Taiwan's most frequented museum from January to September this year, according to statistics from the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC).
With a remarkable 7,767,715 visits, the Memorial Hall has drawn an unprecedented level of public interest.
The majority of these visits occurred during the Taiwan Lantern Festival in February, which attracted 6,337,840 attendees, underscoring the event's significant contribution to Taiwan's tourism industry. The festival was particularly popular among foreign visitors, who were keen to partake in the celebration and enjoy the spectacular lantern displays.
The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall came in second with 2,116,822 visits during the same period, while the National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung claimed third place with 2,042,932 visits. The latter has been highlighted as an ideal family destination, often recommended by parents for a leisurely outing with children.
The Chimei Museum in Tainan, despite attracting 504,503 visitors in the first nine months, has seen a surge in online popularity. Many internet users have described it as an underappreciated treasure, praising its extensive art collection.