Issuing Authority: Department of Cultural and Tourism
The significant new cultural landmark of Yunlin County, the Hushan Reservoir Cultural Heritage Museum, officially opened to the public on the 29th. In collaboration with National Cheng Kung University, the county government curated the permanent exhibition “Living on the Mountain – Gukeng Dapingding Site”, presenting a comprehensive view of human life in the Yunlin region from approximately 4,000 to 2,500 years ago. County Magistrate Chang Li-shan invites the public to step into prehistoric times and explore the lifestyle and craftsmanship of Yunlin’s ancient inhabitants.
Magistrate Chang stated that during the construction of Hushan Reservoir, numerous valuable archaeological sites were discovered. These sites preserved cultural layers from two distinct periods: the Cord-marked Red Pottery Culture and the Yingpu Gray-Black Pottery Culture. Through years of systematic cataloging and research by Professor Liu Yi-chang’s team at National Cheng Kung University, a clear framework of Yunlin’s prehistoric culture has gradually been established.
Chang emphasized that the official opening of the Cultural Heritage Museum not only brings archaeological achievements to public attention but also bears witness to Yunlin’s historical depth, spanning over 4,000 years from the Neolithic era and Yingpu Culture onward, showcasing its rich and tangible cultural heritage.
She further noted that the museum will continue to integrate academic forums, inter-institutional exchanges, and research collaborations, strengthening Yunlin’s position in prehistoric archaeology and humanities research. This effort will reveal Yunlin as not only an agricultural county but also a region with profound historical and cultural significance.
Chang expressed gratitude to the archaeological team from National Cheng Kung University for their long-term dedication, the construction team for overcoming terrain challenges to complete the facility, and National Yunlin University of Science and Technology for future operational support. Hushan Reservoir will thus serve not only as a source of stable water supply and a means to mitigate land subsidence but also as a cultural, educational, and tourism hub of great value.
Director Chen Bi-jun of the Department of Cultural and Tourism Affairs stated that 64 archaeological sites were discovered around Hushan Reservoir, among which the Beigang Gubenkan Site and the Gukeng Dapingding Site are the most representative. The Dapingding Site, dating back approximately 4,000 to 2,500 years, is a key focus for research on Yunlin’s prehistoric culture. This permanent exhibition uses artifact displays, immersive reconstructions, and digital interactions to vividly present the lifestyle, craftsmanship, aesthetics, and social structure of prehistoric settlements, enabling visitors to intuitively understand the daily world of prehistoric humans.
Chen further highlighted that the exhibition includes several highly valuable artifacts, such as the trumpet-shaped jade ring, a rare type unique in Taiwan, which will be further studied as a potential national treasure. Additionally, pottery engraved with dancing figures reflects leisure and entertainment in prehistoric tribal life, demonstrating the cultural richness of prehistoric societies. The museum also offers educational tours, archaeological experiences, and craft workshops to help students and the public learn archaeological methods, excavation processes, and professional principles, fostering cultural awareness.
Professor Liu Yi-chang of National Cheng Kung University explained that the Gukeng Dapingding Site lies in a critical transitional zone where Yingpu Culture connects southward to the Chiayi region, giving it high academic value. The site yielded numerous jade ornaments and tools originating from eastern Taiwan, indicating that prehistoric communities had long-distance mobility and exchange capabilities, providing key insights into prehistoric cultural interactions in Taiwan. Future comparative studies with related sites in central and southern Taiwan will deepen understanding of settlement selection and lifestyle patterns of prehistoric peoples.
The Department of Cultural and Tourism Affairs stated that the establishment of the Hushan Reservoir Cultural Heritage Museum symbolizes Yunlin’s concrete achievement in balancing cultural preservation with major public infrastructure projects. It will become an important cultural hub integrating archaeological research, cultural education, and tourism.
The department announced that the “Living on the Mountain – Gukeng Dapingding Site” permanent exhibition and the Hushan Reservoir Cultural Heritage Museum are now officially open to the public. Opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All are welcome to visit. For more information on activities and tours, please visit the official website or social media page of the Yunlin County Department of Cultural and Tourism Affairs.
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