Taipei Palace Museum

The Taipei Palace Museum is home to a vast collection of nearly 700,000 ancient Chinese imperial artifacts and artworks, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world. ✨This article offers everything you need to know about Taipei Palace Museum, including map, must-visit attractions, transport options, and travel tips!

What is Taipei Palace Museum

The Taipei Palace Museum, officially known as the National Palace Museum (NPM), is a world-renowned museum located in Taipei, Taiwan. It houses one of the largest collections of Chinese art and artifacts in the world, spanning nearly 8,000 years of Chinese history. The collection includes paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, jade, bronze, religious objects, etc.

The museum's collection is so extensive that only a fraction of it can be displayed at any one time. The museum regularly rotates its exhibits, ensuring that visitors can always see something new. The Taipei Palace Museum is not only a cultural institution but also a symbol of the rich heritage and historical continuity of Chinese civilization.

Taipei Palace Museum Opening Hours

How to Go to Taipei Palace Museum

Source: from NPM official website

The Taipei Palace Museum is a world-class museum that houses a vast collection of Chinese imperial artifacts and artworks. If you're planning to visit the museum, there are several transportation options you can consider.

1. MRT & Bus

• Route: Take the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line (Red Line) to Shilin Station, and then transfer to bus R30, 255, or 304 to the museum.
• Travel Time: About 30-40 minutes from Taipei Main Station to the museum, depending on waiting times for the bus.
• Cost: MRT fare is around $0.60-$1 USD (20-30 TWD) and the bus fare is about $0.50 USD (15 TWD).

Bus Only

• Route: There are several buses that go directly to the Taipei Palace Museum, including 213, 255, 304, and 815. You can catch these buses from various points in the city.
• Travel Time: Varies depending on your starting point, but generally, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour.
• Cost: Bus fares range from $0.50-$1 USD (15-30 TWD) depending on the distance.

3. Taxi

• Route: Direct from your location to the Taipei Palace Museum.
• Travel Time: Depends on your starting point, but from Taipei Main Station, it's about 20-30 minutes without heavy traffic.
• Cost: Approximately $10-$15 USD (300-450 TWD) from Taipei Main Station.

4. Tourist Shuttle

• Route: The Taipei Sightseeing Bus offers routes that include the museum as one of the stops.
• Travel Time: Depends on the route and where you board the bus.
• Cost: A day pass for the sightseeing bus can cost around $10-$15 USD (300-450 TWD).

5. Ride-Hailing Service

• Route: Direct from your location to the museum.
• Travel Time: Similar to a taxi, around 20-30 minutes from central Taipei.
• Cost: Approximately $10-$15 USD (300-450 TWD)

Best Time to Go to Taipei Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan, is home to one of the largest collections of Chinese imperial artifacts and artworks in the world. If you're planning a visit, here are some tips on the best time to go:

• Best Season: Taipei has a subtropical climate, with typhoons possible from June to October. The best weather is usually in autumn (September to November) when it's cooler and dryer.
• Off-Peak Seasons: Consider visiting during the off-peak tourist seasons. Winter (December to February) is cooler and less crowded.
• Morning Hours: Going early in the morning right when the museum opens can help you avoid the influx of tour groups and school trips that often arrive later in the day.
• Late Afternoons: Visiting later in the afternoon, a couple of hours before closing, can also be a good strategy to miss the crowds. However, be mindful of the museum's closing time so you don't feel rushed.
• Avoid National Holidays and Weekends: The museum can get very crowded during national holidays and weekends. If possible, plan your visit on a weekday to avoid the largest crowds.

What to Eat at Taipei Palace Museum

Source: from NPM official website

Here are several popular restaurants at Taipei Palace Museum

Things to Do at Taipei Palace Museum

The Taipei Palace Museum is one of the premier museums in the world for Chinese art and culture. It houses a vast collection of artifacts spanning thousands of years of Chinese history. Here are some things you can do at the Taipei Palace Museum:

1. Explore the Permanent Collection

The museum's permanent collection includes ancient Chinese imperial artifacts, paintings, calligraphy, statuary, bronzes, jade, ceramics, and various historical documents. Many of these pieces were part of the imperial collection and were moved to Taiwan for safekeeping during the Chinese Civil War.

2. View the Featured Exhibitions

The museum regularly hosts special exhibitions that focus on specific aspects of Chinese art and culture. These exhibitions can provide a deeper understanding of particular periods, styles, or themes.

3. Participate in Educational Programs

The museum offers educational programs and workshops for both children and adults. These may include lectures, cultural events, and hands-on activities that help visitors engage with the museum's content.

4. Visit the Zhishan Garden

This traditional Chinese-style garden is located within the museum grounds and offers a peaceful retreat with its landscaped paths, pavilions, and ponds.

5. Shop at the Museum Store

The museum store offers a variety of souvenirs, books, and art reproductions. It's a great place to find unique gifts that reflect the rich cultural heritage of China.

6. Enjoy the Food and Beverages

The museum has a teahouse and restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Chinese tea and cuisine. This can be a great way to complement your cultural experience.

7. Explore the Digital Collection

For a high-tech experience, explore the museum's digital collection, which allows visitors to interact with the museum's artifacts through digital media.

Taipei Palace Museum Map

Source: from NPM official website

Taipei Palace Museum Attractions

The Taipei Palace Museum is one of the most significant museums in the world for Chinese art and culture. It houses a vast collection of artifacts that span thousands of years of Chinese history, including paintings, calligraphy, statuary, bronzes, jade, ceramics, and various antiques.Here are some of the key attractions and highlights:

• Jadeite Cabbage: This small sculpture is one of the most famous pieces in the museum. It's a piece of jade carved to resemble a head of cabbage and is a symbol of female virtue.

• Meat-shaped Stone: Another popular exhibit is a piece of jasper that is carved to look like a piece of braised pork belly. It's incredibly lifelike and a favorite among visitors.

• Mao Gong Ding: An ancient bronze ding (cauldron) from the Western Zhou period, inscribed with over 500 characters. It is one of the most important artifacts for the study of ancient Chinese script.
• Curio Boxes: These are small, intricately designed boxes that were used to hold various objects. The craftsmanship and detail on these boxes are a testament to the skill of ancient Chinese artisans.

• Paintings and Calligraphy: The museum has a rotating collection of paintings and calligraphy due to the delicate nature of these works. They include pieces by some of the most renowned artists in Chinese history.
• Ceramics and Porcelain: The museum's collection includes pieces from the various dynasties, showcasing the evolution of ceramic and porcelain art in China.
• Rotating Exhibits: The museum often hosts temporary exhibits that focus on specific themes, dynasties, or types of artifacts.
• Zhishan Garden: This is a classical Chinese garden located within the museum grounds, offering a peaceful retreat with its ponds, pavilions, and landscaped paths.

Things to Know before Visiting Taipei Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum is one of the most renowned museums in the world. Before visiting the National Palace Museum, here are some things you should know:

• Collection: The museum's collection includes nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artifacts and artworks. The collection includes paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, jade, bronze, religious objects, and more.
• Exhibits: Due to the vast size of the collection, the museum rotates its exhibits. Only a fraction of the collection is on display at any given time, so if you are looking for specific pieces, check the museum's current exhibitions online before your visit.
• Language: Information is available in both Chinese and English, and audio guides are also available in several languages, making it accessible to international visitors.
• Tickets: You can purchase tickets on-site, but to avoid long lines, especially during peak tourist seasons, consider buying tickets on Trip.com in advance.
• Photography: Photography may be restricted in certain areas of the museum, and flash photography is usually prohibited. Check the museum's photography policy before you go.
• Dress Code: There is no strict dress code, but it's advisable to dress respectfully, as you would for any other cultural institution.
• Accessibility: The museum is accessible to wheelchair users and provides services for visitors with disabilities.
• Cultural Etiquette: As with visiting any cultural site, be respectful of the exhibits and other visitors. Follow the museum's rules and guidelines to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone.
• Plan Your Visit: Depending on your level of interest in Chinese art and history, you could spend anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day at the museum. Plan your visit accordingly, and consider visiting during off-peak hours to avoid crowds.

Other Attractions in Taipei

TAIPEI 101

Taipei Zoo

Maokong Station