Taipei’s National Palace Museum is arguably the “must-see” of Taipei, particularly for those who have a penchant for history.
While many Westerners may have never heard of it, it’s treasured as one of the most valuable testaments to the glories of Asian culture.
The National Palace Museum of Taipei holds one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese artifacts and spans all the way from China’s Neolithic Age to the Qing Dynasty, over 8,000 years in total.
Taipei’s National Palace Museum is the 11th-most visited art museum on the planet.
The artifacts themselves have seen a great number of locations, being moved all over Mainland China to avoid Japanese imperialism and eventually to Taiwan to not allow the communist party to get its hands on the valuables. Among the most treasured pieces in the museum is the famed Jadeite Cabbage, an intricate jade sculpture of, you guessed it, cabbage.
Some of my favorite artifacts at Taiwan’s National Palace Museum are the ancient Chinese scrolls and calligraphic paintings, as well as some very old-looking potteries and sculptures.
If you plan to go to the National Palace Museum in Taipei, give yourself a lot of time. It takes more than a few hours to cover all 8,000 years of history, after all. Also, as it’s a bit out of the way (you need to take a bus from the MRT), you’ll need to budget extra time.
Bottom line…
Take the MRT to Shilin, snag a bus that takes you to the museum, observe the powerful architecture of the museum’s exterior, check out some intricate lettuce and you’re set.
Getting to the National Palace Museum in Taipei
Address: No.221, Sec. 2, Zhishan Rd., Shilin Dist.
Buses to Taipei National Palace Museum leave frequently from MRT Shilin Station. The bus ride to the museum takes around 15 minutes from the MRT station.
How to say it: guoli gugong bowuyuan
How much: Adults NT$160, groups of 10 or more NT$140 per person, students with valid ID NT$80. Children and the handicapped get in for free.
When to go: 8:30am-6:30pm every day of the year, extended 8:30am-8:30pm hours on Saturdays
Have a nice trip to the National Palace Museum of Taipei!
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