National Palace Museum
National Palace Museum
5 minutes read•Published on 19-10-2024
The National Palace Museum is an important place to visit when you're in Taipei, Taiwan. It's famous for having an enormous collection of Chinese art and historical artifacts. These amazing pieces were gathered over thousands of years. The museum showcases things like ancient Chinese paintings, calligraphy, and old items made from ceramic, jade, and bronze. People from all over the world visit this museum to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and history.
Tickets & tours
A selection of the best tours to experience the National Palace Museum with our partner GetYourGuide. These tours offer the best experience for visitors from all around the world.
A short history
The National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan, is a well-visited spot. It was created on October 10, 1925, by the Republic of China's government. They wished to keep a vast assortment of old Chinese artifacts and art pieces safe. The museum was first available to the public at the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. After the Chinese Civil War, it was relocated to Taipei and reopened there on November 12, 1965.
The display at the museum includes nearly 700,000 pieces of old Chinese artifacts and art pieces. These items trace back more than 8,000 years, from the Neolithic age to our present time. The assortment includes paintings, calligraphy, statues, bronzes, lacquerware, ceramics, jade, and religious items. The museum in Taipei is home to one of the most extensive collections of Chinese artifacts and artwork in the world.
Over time, the National Palace Museum has undergone considerable changes. In the 2000s, a revamp project started at the museum. The project upgraded the facilities and services of the museum and developed new display halls. These improvements made the museum more welcoming and easy to visit for guests.
Today, the National Palace Museum in Taipei is more than simply a museum. It also functions as a research institution. The institution carries out academic research, exchanges scholarly ideas, publishes academic discoveries, promotes public education, and cultural advancements. Such rich offerings attract millions of global visitors every year.
One reason to visit
The Jadeite Cabbage
A good reason to drop by the National Palace Museum in Taipei is to look at the Jadeite Cabbage, a standout artifact in the museum. This small sculpture, carved delicately from one piece of jadeite, is known for its detailed work. Interestingly, it has a locust and a katydid skillfully hidden among its leaves. The Jadeite Cabbage highlights the exceptional abilities of craftsmen from the past. Beyond its artistic appeal, the sculpture is important for capturing Chinese cultural ideas. Its a symbol of cleanliness and fruitfulness, the natural worlds charm, and the importance of simplicity. These are all meaningful parts of Chinese culture. Seeing the Jadeite Cabbage is an experience that makes going to the National Palace Museum in Taipei truly rewarding.
Getting there
The National Palace Museum is located at No. 221, Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City. Assuming your starting point is the Shilin MRT Station, once you leave the station, take the MRT exit to Tienmu East Road. Walk straight ahead and take a right once you reach Chung Shan North Road Section 7. Continue straight until you hit the crossroad of Zhi Shan Road then turn left. Keep walking until your reach Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd and you should be able to see the museum. However, be warned the journey by foot is quite long (about 6 km) and can take approximately an hour. Try to use the buses no. 255, 304, or 815 if you want to save time.
First, you need to start your journey from the Taipei Main Station. Head northeast on Chengde Rd towards Zhongxiao W. Rd. Take a slight right onto the Huanhe N. Rd., which will smoothly turn into Huanhe S. Rd. Shortly, you need to turn left onto Sec 3, Heping W. Rd. and continue straight onto Heping Bridge. After crossing the bridge, you will turn right onto Sec 5, Xinyi Rd. Stick to the same road as it will become
To reach the National Palace Museum in Taipei by public transport, you can take the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) to the Shilin Station. From there, board the bus no. R30 (Red 30) which will take you directly to the museum. Alternatively, at the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line, alight at Tamsui station and take the bus no. 38 or at Jiantan Station, board the bus no. 60, bus no. 60 route 1, 255, or 304 Chengde. These buses will stop across from the National Palace Museum. Another transportation option is the bus no. 213, 255, 304 Chengde, Mini 3, Mini 4, bus no. 665, or Red 2 to the National Palace Museum Station 1 and then walk to the museum. For simpler travel, use Taipei Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus. It stops at the museum and you are likely to find an English-speaking guide on board.
If you are reaching the National Palace Museum in Taipei by car, drive along the Highway No. 1 and then take exit No. 2 Shilin. Once you are off the highway, you need to travel down Zhongshan North Road and then follow the signs directing you towards the museum destination. The exact address of the Museum is No. 221, Section 2, Zhi Shan Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City. Remember to obey all traffic rules and laws during your drive and take note the museum's operating hours, which are from 08:30 to 18:30, every day. Also, make sure to arrange for parking, as the museum’s parking lot has a limited number of car spaces.