National Palace Museum
Taiwan
The National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan, is a premier cultural institution housing an extensive collection of nearly 700,000 artifacts and artworks. Founded originally in Beijing in 1925, the museum was re-established in Taipei in 1965 after the Chinese Civil War prompted the relocation of precious imperial collections from the Forbidden City. Its holdings span 8,000 years of Chinese history from the Neolithic era to modern times, including ceramics, bronzes, calligraphy, paintings, and rare books primarily from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The museum serves as a vital repository of Chinese art and history, reflecting the imperial heritage of China with items relocated during periods of conflict to protect them. It also operates a southern branch in Taibao, Chiayi, opened in 2015, expanding its reach. The museum is not only a display of artistic masterpieces but also a center of scholarship, contributing to the study of Chinese art history and sinology. Its architecture and layout are designed to highlight the cultural significance of the collections, attracting millions of visitors annually who come to experience this unparalleled treasury of Chinese civilization.
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Tip: Visit the National Palace Museum during weekdays or early mornings to avoid crowds. Purchasing tickets online in advance is recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons. The museum offers discounts for students, seniors, and groups. Allocate at least 2 to 3 hours to explore the main exhibitions thoroughly. Don't miss the rotating exhibits of rare artifacts, which change periodically. Audio guides and guided tours are available to enhance the visitor experience. The southern branch in Taibao offers a quieter alternative for those interested in Chinese art and culture.
Interesting facts
- •The museum's collection includes nearly 700,000 pieces, representing only about 22% of the original crates transported from Beijing, but considered the best of the imperial collection.
- •It was ranked the sixth most visited art museum worldwide in 2015, with over 6 million visitors annually.
- •Many artifacts were moved multiple times during wartime to protect them from damage or theft, including relocations to Shanghai, Nanjing, Sichuan, and finally Taiwan.
- •The museum's collection spans from the Neolithic period to modern times, making it one of the most comprehensive collections of Chinese art and history.
- •The southern branch in Taibao, Chiayi, opened in 2015 to extend the museum's cultural impact beyond Taipei.
History
The National Palace Museum originated as the Palace Museum in Beijing's Forbidden City in 1925, established to preserve the Qing imperial collections after the last emperor's expulsion.
Due to the Japanese invasion and later the Chinese Civil War, the collections were moved multiple times across China to protect them.
In 1948-1949, a significant portion of the most valuable artifacts was relocated to Taiwan by the Nationalist government.
The museum was officially re-established in Taipei in 1965 to house these treasures.
Over the decades, it has expanded its facilities and collections, including opening a southern branch in 2015, becoming one of the world's largest and most important museums of Chinese art.
Place Guide
Main Exhibition Halls
These halls display a rotating selection of around 7,000 artifacts, including imperial ceramics, bronzes, calligraphy, paintings, and rare books, arranged chronologically to showcase 8,000 years of Chinese history.
Southern Branch (Taibao)2015
Opened in 2015, this branch offers additional exhibition space and focuses on southern Chinese art and culture, providing a quieter environment for visitors.
Contact
Phone: 02 2881 2021