Wufeng, along with neighboring townships such as Xinshe in Taichung, is the heartland of mushroom cultivation in Taiwan, playing a vital role in the local economy. The region is known for its innovation in mushroom farming, including the invention of the modern “space bags,” a technique that revolutionized mushroom cultivation by allowing more efficient and controlled growth.
The Wufeng Mushroom Museum is housed in a regular office building of the Wufeng Farmers’ Association, with an unassuming exterior that hides a surprisingly rich and immersive experience inside.
The museum claims to be one of only two mushroom museums in the world, alongside the Museum De Locht in the Netherlands. However, similar institutions exist, like the Museum of Mushrooms in Zagreb and Austria’s Pilz Museum, making the claim debatable. Regardless, the Wufeng Mushroom Museum remains a comprehensive space dedicated to mushrooms.Â
Visitors are first greeted by a giant mushroom sculpture at the entrance, a perfect photo spot before stepping into the exhibition hall. Inside, the museum covers everything mushroom-related, from biological taxonomy and ecological significance to the development of Taiwan’s mushroom industry, precious medicinal fungi, global mushroom-based cuisine, and even a mushroom art gallery.
Among the rare specimens on display is the caterpillar fungus, a parasitic fungus that infects insects, slowly takes over their bodies, and eventually sprouts from the insect’s head—a prized medicinal fungi in traditional Chinese medicine.
One of the most intriguing exhibits is an interactive sound installation demonstrating how fungi generate electrical signals. Inspired by research suggesting that fungi use mycelial networks to transmit information—akin to a neural system—scientists have recorded electrical pulses from fungi and converted them into sound waves. Visitors can attach sensors to live fungi and listen as the mushrooms “communicate” through a melodic hum.
