National Palace Museum — Attraction in Taipei

If you’re in Taipei and have even a passing interest in history, art, or culture, the National Palace Museum is an absolute must-visit. It houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of Chinese artifacts, with nearly 700,000 pieces spanning over 8,000 years of history—from Neolithic jade carvings to Qing dynasty porcelain . 

The museum’s origins trace back to the Forbidden City in Beijing. Following the fall of the Qing dynasty, the imperial collection was transformed into a public museum in 1925. During the turmoil of the Chinese Civil War, the most valuable pieces were relocated to Taiwan in 1949 to protect them from potential destruction. They were initially stored in various locations before being permanently housed in the current Taipei facility, which opened in 1965 .  

The museum’s architecture is a blend of traditional Chinese palace design and modern functionality. Its main building in Shilin features classic Chinese elements like sweeping roofs and intricate detailing. Surrounding the museum is the Zhishan Garden, a serene space designed in the style of Song and Ming dynasty gardens, complete with ponds, pavilions, and meticulously landscaped flora . 

Among the museum’s most celebrated treasures are: • Jadeite Cabbage: A delicate jade sculpture resembling a cabbage head, complete with a locust and katydid camouflaged among the leaves. It’s a symbol of fertility and purity .  • Meat-Shaped Stone: A piece of jasper intricately carved to mimic a piece of braised pork belly, showcasing the artisans’ incredible attention to detail .  • Mao Gong Ding: An ancient bronze vessel from the Western Zhou dynasty, notable for its lengthy inscription detailing royal decrees . 

Given the vastness of the collection, only a fraction is on display at any given time. Exhibits are rotated regularly to preserve the artifacts and offer fresh experiences to returning visitors. Interactive displays and multilingual descriptions enhance the educational value, making it accessible to a global audience . 

Whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, or a curious traveler, the National Palace Museum offers a profound insight into China’s rich...

The National Palace Museum is one of Taiwan’s most renowned cultural institutions, located in the Shilin District of Taipei. It houses an extensive collection of Chinese imperial artifacts, originating from the Forbidden City in Beijing. With approximately 700,000 pieces, the museum showcases five millennia of Chinese history through paintings, bronzes, jade carvings, ceramics, calligraphy, textiles, and more. It is considered one of the world’s top four museums.

The museum’s history dates back to 1925 when the Palace Museum was established in Beijing. During World War II, to safeguard precious artifacts, the Nationalist government relocated part of the collection to southern China. Following the Chinese Civil War, these treasures were transported to Taiwan. In 1965, the National Palace Museum officially opened in Taipei, becoming a premier institution for preserving and exhibiting Chinese art and culture.

Some of its most famous treasures include the Jadeite Cabbage, the Meat-Shaped Stone, Wang Xizhi’s Timely Clearing After Snow, Ru ware ceramics, and the Mao Gong Ding (a bronze ritual vessel). Due to the vast size of its collection, the museum rotates exhibits regularly, ensuring that different artifacts are displayed over time. In addition, the museum has embraced digital advancements, offering online exhibitions and multimedia guides to make its collection more accessible to a global audience.

Beyond its main Taipei location, the National Palace Museum also operates a southern branch in Chiayi, focusing on Asian art and culture. Overall, the museum is not only a key cultural landmark in Taiwan but also a world-class institution dedicated to the research and promotion of Chinese history...

This is by far the best museum in Taipei and is half the reason why I came here. And as a massive Brandon Sanderson fan, I needed to come and see what inspired him to write "The Emperor's Soul".

PROS:

1. It is well-organized and laid out. The exhibits have a natural flow to them, leading from one room to the next without backtracking.

2. They try to make the exhibits interactive. There is even a special exhibit where one can watch the artwork come to life with the help of technology. This is in Room 107 and a cool experience.

3. The types of artifacts they have are simply incredible. One definitely needs to check out the cabbage jadeite and the braised pork stone, but they have rooms dedicated to calligraphy, ancient texts, furniture, ornamentation/jewelry, bronze, jade, and ceramics.

The collection is quite expansive, but they carefully choose exhibits to rotate and showcase to fit different themes. Since it was the Dragonboat Festival recently, one of the rooms was dedicated to this.

4. Guided tours are only NT$30, which helps to provide more information.

CONS:

1. It gets really crowded after 10 AM, with many massive tours crowding up the exhibits. Recommend arriving when they open at 9 AM and see as much as you can before they come in.

2. There are a lot of stairs to get to the museum entrance, but it's a nice walk up the palace.

3. They blast the AC in the museum. If you're prone to getting cold, I'd recommend bringing a light jacket.

LOGISTICS: Many buses get here from the Shihlin MRT stop, so it's easy to get here. They have umbrella lockers where one can store umbrellas before entering. Bathrooms and water fountains are located...