【國立故宮博物館】National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan
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Thinking about visiting the National Palace Museum in Taipei but not sure if it’s worth your time?
Let me tell you, it absolutely is —
and I’m here to make sure you see the best of it without wasting a second.
In this guide, you’ll get the must-see highlights (so you don’t miss the Jadeite Cabbage or Meat-Shaped Stone), insider Taipei travel tips for beating crowds and saving money, how to skip the line like a pro (especially on busy weekends), the fascinating history that makes this museum a world treasure, where to go nearby so you can turn your museum day into a perfect Taipei adventure.
I’ve explored Taipei extensively, and my favorite way to share it is with real, no-bs tips that save you time and help you experience the city like a local.
about National Palace Museum
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is the National Palace Museum worth visiting?” — the short answer is yes.
The longer answer lies in its incredible history, which is almost as fascinating as the treasures it holds.
From Beijing to Taipei
FOUNDED IN BEIJING (1925)
Originally established as the Palace Museum inside the Forbidden City on October 10, 1925, after the last emperor of China, Puyi, was expelled by Warlord Feng Yuxiang. The priceless collection came directly from the former imperial family.
ON THE MOVE
In 1931, after the Mukden Incident, the Republic of China (ROC, 中華民國政府) government ordered the museum to evacuate its most valuable pieces to keep them out of Japanese hands.
YEARS IN TRANSIT
From 1933 to 1947, the collection moved repeatedly — from Beijing to Shanghai, then to Nanjing, then west to Anshun and Leshan during and after WWII.
RETURN TO NANJING
After Japan’s surrender, the artifacts went back to Nanjing warehouses.
The Civil War & Taiwan Relocation
In 1945, as the Chinese Civil War resumed, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek ordered the most precious pieces from the Palace Museum to be shipped to Taiwan for safekeeping.
Unfortunately, only 22% of the original crates made it before the Communists took control of the Beijing Palace Museum. These crates became the foundation of what we now see in Taipei’s National Palace Museum.
The Taipei Era
SHILIN, TAIPEI OPENING (1965)
Designed by Taiwanese architect Huang Ruoyu. It was constructed from March 1964 to August 1965.
EXPANSION
The museum grew in stages — 1967, 1970, 1984, 1996 — to better display its massive 700,000 holdings of artifacts and artworks.
2002 – 2007 RENOVATION
It cost about USD 21 million to revamp modernized galleries and improve visitor flow.
CHIAYI BRANCH (2015)
Opened in southern Taiwan to house even more artifacts. Read my Chiayi guide here.
💡 TIP
The museum holds nearly 700,000 artifacts, but only about 3,000 pieces are displayed at any time. Permanent exhibitions of painting and calligraphy rotate every 3 months, so each visit can reveal something completely new.
getting there
🚇 MRT + BUS (most budget-friendly)
Take the MRT Wenhu Line (brown color) to Jiannan Road Station (劍潭)
Transfer to Bus BR20 and ride for about 10 - 20 minutes to the National Palace Museum stop — you’ll be right outside the entrance.
🚴 YOUBIKE
From Jiannan Road Station, you can rent a YouBike, which is available outside the station, and it will take about 9 minutes.
💡 Use an EasyCard to tap seamlessly between MRT, buses, and YouBikes!
🚖 TAXI / RIDESHARE
You can also hail a taxi from the street or ask your hotel to call you a taxi as well. Uber is also available in Taipei with similar rates.
This is perfect if you want to combine the museum with other spots like Yehliu Geopark or Jiufen in a single day — no public transport juggling.
tours & tickets
On weekends and holidays, lines can be long. Skip-the-line tickets mean you walk straight in with your tickets in hand — no wasted time, no sore feet from standing in line with the others.
This is the cheapest and easiest option for solo travelers or families that aren’t locals.
Meet in front of Family Mart at the Taipei Main Station and head over to some of the iconic spots with a guided tour, such as the National Palace Museum, Beitou Library, and other iconic nearby attractions.
💡 TAIWANESE CITIZENS
Bring your Taiwanese ID for a discounted ticket (NT$150 vs NT$350).
highlights for first timers!
Here are some things you can’t miss out on when you’re visiting the National Palace Museum in Taipei!
🥬 JADEITE CABBAGE
An intricate piece of jadeite carved into a cabbage head, complete with two camouflaged grasshoppers. The artist masterfully used the jade’s natural color variations to mimic the real vegetable’s ruffled, semi-translucent leaves.
🥩 MEAT-SHAPED STONE
Looks exactly like braised pork belly, but it’s actually jasper! Layers of skin, fat, and lean meat appear thanks to the stone’s natural strata and careful dyeing.
🖋 Calligraphy & Painting
Only on display for 3 months at a time, so each visit is different.
🌿 至善園 Zhishan Garden
A serene classical Chinese garden next to the main building — perfect for a break from the crowds or after visiting the museum!
special exhibitions
The museum regularly hosts special exhibitions alongside its permanent collection. These range from international luxury brands to rare traveling art shows.
Van Cleef & Arpels Exhibition
I happened to visit when the Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition was there, which paired the brand’s exquisite jewelry designs with artistic and historical narratives. It was a huge contrast to the museum’s ancient treasures — and made for some stunning photos.
what's nearby?
🍸 覓到 Meet Bar at the Grand Hotel — a hidden speakeasy with a secret passage.
🍡 寧夏夜市 Ningxia Night Market — an iconic night market known for its street food.
🏛 中正紀念堂 Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall — iconic and great photo spot with tons of history
know before you go!
| WHAT TO KNOW | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| ADMISSION | NT$350 / NT$150 (with your Taiwanese ID) |
| BEST TIME TO GO | Weekday mornings |
| DRESS CODE | Casual modest |
| ESTIMATED TRIP DURATION | 2 - 3 hours |
| LOCATION ETIQUETTE | No flash photos, no tripods/selfie sticks |
| PERFECT FOR | History lovers. Families. Friends. |
| PAYMENT | Cash. Major credit cards. |
| WHAT TO WEAR | Comfortable shoes, light layers to take on/off |
| WHAT TO BRING | Refillable water bottle. Filtered water fountains available. |
| WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE | Yes |
FAQ
Q: Is the National Palace Museum worth visiting?
A: Yes — whether you’re a history buff or casual traveler, the sheer scope and beauty inside is jaw-dropping.
Q: How long should I spend here?
A: 2–3 hours is plenty unless you’re diving deep into every exhibit.
Q: Can I take photos inside?
A: Yes, but no flash. Some exhibitions have “no photos” signs, so you won’t be able to take photos!
Q: Are skip-the-line tickets really worth it?
A: If you’re visiting on a weekend or a Taiwanese holiday, absolutely. Lines can be extremely long. Get yours here.
final thoughts
You know that feeling when you’re somewhere and you know there’s so much history packed into every corner, but you also kinda want to see everything at once?
Yep, that was me. 🙋🏻♀️
I loved wandering through the exhibits, spotting the tiniest details, and seeing pieces you can’t find anywhere else.
The Van Cleef & Arpels collab was also a cool surprise — it’s not every day you see fine jewelry and ancient artifacts sharing the same spotlight.
My only regret? Missing the Jadeite Cabbage and Meat-Shaped Stone (they were in storage during my visit).
But honestly, that’s the perfect excuse to go back. Since they rotate exhibits every 3 months and only display 3,000 pieces at a time out of their jaw-dropping 700,000-item collection, there’s always something new to see.
And yep — the Chiayi branch is now officially on my list too. Everything ties together in such a cool way, it’s impossible not to want to see more.
visit info
check out my Taiwan travel vlog!
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11302024 13:31
Where 8,000 years of Chinese history come alive. From the famous Jadeite Cabbage to hidden treasures you’ll only catch during rotating exhibits, here’s how to make your visit unforgettable (and skip the lines while you’re at it).