Guide to Visiting National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan
Author: Janice Vazquez | Last updated: December 28, 2024
The National Palace Museum, situated in Taipei, Taiwan, houses an unparalleled collection of artifacts spanning over 8,000 years of history of Chinese civilization from ancient dynasties to the modern era. Each year, over a million visitors from all over the world come to this renowned cultural institution to view the notable exhibits like the Jadeite Cabbage, Meat-shaped Stone, ancient ceramics, and more! Given the museum’s vast size, and extensive exhibits, planning ahead is essential to making the most of your visit. This travel guide highlights essential information, including the museum’s hours of operation and what you can expect during your visit.
Historical Background on National Palace Museum
Its roots lie in Beijing’s Forbidden City, where China’s imperial collections were first showcased as the Palace Museum in 1925 after the fall of the Qing Dynasty. Now located in Taipei, the museum’s stunning architecture, inspired by traditional Chinese palaces, offers visitors a taste of timeless elegance. Inside, you’ll discover over 600,000 treasures, from intricate jade carvings to ancient ceramics and imperial calligraphy, all brought to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War to protect them from harm.
General Information for National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum is open every day from 9:00am – 5:00pm, except for Mondays as noted in the table below. To enter the museum, you can purchase a ticket* at the Ticket Office on the day of your visit or online on the official ticket website.
| Ticket Types* | Admission | Days Closed |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Ticket | NT$350 | Monday (except if they fall on a national holiday or long weekend) |
| Discounted Ticket (Weekend Ticket for Seniors Aged 65 and Above) | NT$75 | Monday (except if they fall on a national holiday or long weekend) |
| Free (Visitors aged 17 and under) | Free | Monday (except if they fall on a national holiday or long weekend) |
Time Needed: 3 hours
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/H8UZZa6CVbFQStyV9
*Visit the official ticket website for detailed information on eligibility for discounted and free tickets.
What to see in the National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum spans four floors, with three floors dedicated to exhibitions and the fourth floor dedicated to a café. Additionally, there’s a basement level, which features the Children’s Gallery. The museum boasts 10 exhibition areas along with 4 special exhibition spaces. Together, these sections showcase a remarkable collection of buddhist sculptures, books, paintings, ceramics, jade, national treasures, and bronze artifacts. When visiting, be sure to explore the key exhibits:
National Treasures* (Special Exhibition)
The National Treasures series offers China’s most esteemed artworks, including the Jadeite Cabbage and Meat-shaped Stone, iconic treasures from the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). The Jadeite Cabbage, carved from a single piece of jadeite, uses natural green and white hues to mimic a real cabbage, complete with a locust and katydid symbolizing good fortune. The Meat-shaped Stone, (not on display when I visited), is skillfully crafted to look like a piece of braised pork belly with lifelike layers of fat, meat, and skin. Both artifacts showcase how Qing artisans turned natural flaws in materials into stunning works of art. These masterpieces blend creativity, skill, and cultural significance. They remain highlights of the National Palace Museum’s collection.
Other National Treasures include the following:
*Please note that the Jadeite Cabbage and Meat-shaped Stone are on display for a limited time in specific exhibition areas. For detailed location information, please visit the official website.
Jade Collection (Rooms 306)
The Jade Collection exhibition presents an extraordinary array of jade masterpieces spanning thousands of years, from Neolithic ritual objects to Qing Dynasty artifacts. The most memorable pieces were the Green Jade Flower Holder shaped like a fish-creature, the Green Jade Screen (gifted to the Emperor of Japan by Wang during the Sino-Japanese War), and the Jade Bi-Zun Vessel crafted in the shape of a Ruyi, symbolizing “as you wish.”
Through these exceptional pieces, the exhibition delves into the artistry of jade craftsmanship and its profound significance in Chinese history, culture, and ceremonies.
Bronze Collection (Room 307)
The Bronze Collection showcases the artistry and technical mastery of ancient Chinese bronze workers, particularly from the Shang (1600–1046 BCE) and Zhou (1046–256 BCE) dynasties. Its most renowned treasure, the Ding Cauldron of Duke Mao, is a tripod vessel adorned with a remarkable 500-character inscription on its interior. This text, which records a royal decree and reflects the political and cultural history of the Western Zhou Dynasty, is what makes the cauldron so invaluable.
Enjoy Your Time in Taiwan
Taiwan offers an exciting mix of history, culture, and museums. I hope that you’ll find these tips to be useful when visiting the Kavalan Distillery Tour. Don’t hesitate to drop a comment to let us know what you think.
Read our relevant posts to learn more about additional attractions to visit in Taiwan.
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