Discover the Wonders of the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan

Many travelers tend to skip museums, but Taiwan is different. Every museum here is grand, beautiful, and full of meaningful exhibits. Today, join me as I explore the fascinating National Palace Museum in Taipei—one of the must-visit cultural landmarks in the city.

About the National Palace Museum in Taipei

Located in Shilin District, Taipei, the National Palace Museum houses more than 697,000 artifacts from Chinese imperial history. It’s one of the largest museums in the world, showcasing over 10,000 years of Chinese culture, from the Neolithic era to the late Qing Dynasty. Most items in the collection were carefully preserved by Chinese emperors over centuries.

This museum shares its origins with the Forbidden City Museum in Beijing. Following the Chinese Civil War, the collection was divided, with part remaining in mainland China and the other part relocated to Taiwan. Hence, the Taipei museum is distinguished as the “National” Palace Museum in English, while locals call it “Taipei Palace Museum” to differentiate it from its Beijing counterpart.

There’s even a southern branch in Chiayi, which I’ll cover in another post. For now, let’s focus on the Taipei location.

How to Get to the National Palace Museum in Taipei

The most common way to get to the museum is by combining the MRT (subway) and a public bus. Most visitors use Shilin Station on the MRT line, but you can also start from Dazhi Station or Jiannan Rd. Station.

From MRT Shilin Station:

Exit at Exit 1 toward ZhongZheng Rd.
Take bus R30 (Red 30), minibus 18 or 19, or bus 255, 304, or 815.
Ride takes around 15–30 minutes.

From MRT Dazhi Station:

Exit at Exit 3.
Take bus B13 (Brown 13).

From MRT Jiannan Rd. Station:

Exit at Exit 1.
Take bus B20 (Brown 20).
Travel time from both Dazhi and Jiannan Rd. stations is about 10–20 minutes.

By Shuttle Bus from Taipei 101:

There is also a shuttle bus that runs every hour from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. To catch it, go to Exit 4 of MRT Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station, turn right onto City Hall Rd., and look for the KKday Shuttle Bus Stop.

Ticket Prices for the National Palace Museum

General Admission: 350 NTD (≈ $11 USD)
Students (with Taiwanese student ID): 150 NTD (≈ $5 USD)
Free Admission:
- Children aged 17 or under (including international visitors with passport)
- Visitors with disabilities and one accompanying person
- Registered volunteers in Taiwan

You can book tickets online to avoid waiting in line, or get a combo ticket with Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines nearby for a discount.

Audio Guide Devices

Don’t worry if you’re not part of a tour—just rent an audio guide to explore the museum at your own pace. The standard fee is 150 NTD (≈ $5 USD), and you’ll need to leave your passport or a 3,000 NTD deposit if no ID is available.

There’s also a special children’s audio guide available for ages 7–12 (only in English and Chinese) for 100 NTD.

Even though the museum gets thousands of visitors a day, it remains quiet inside thanks to a strict policy: all groups over 10 people are required to use audio headsets with a guide speaking softly into a mic—no shouting allowed!

What’s Inside the National Palace Museum?

The museum has 3 exhibition floors, each featuring different historical treasures. Here are some highlights to look out for:

Highlights on the First Floor:

Room 106: “Jade Marvels” – Showcases Qing Dynasty ivory carvings, including a layered ivory ball with human figures and floral motifs.
Room 108: “Imperial Furniture” – Featuring an ornate five-post chair with cloud and bat patterns from the Qing era.
Room 101: “Compassion and Wisdom” – Displays Northern Wei Buddhist bronze sculptures, including a gold-plated Buddha statue.

Highlights on the Second Floor:

Room 203: Special Ming Dynasty exhibits, like cobalt-blue porcelain tiles with figure designs.
Rooms 201, 205, 207: “Molding Art” – Famous Song Dynasty ceramics, including white porcelain baby-shaped pillows.
Rooms 202–212: Tang Dynasty calligraphy and painting galleries, including the famous “Autobiography of Huai Su.”

Highlights on the Third Floor:

Room 302: “National Treasures” – Featuring the famous Jadeite Cabbage.
Rooms 303, 304: Qing Dynasty artifacts, including white jade incense burners with detailed carvings.
Rooms 305, 307: Western Zhou Dynasty bronze works, like the Mao Gong Ding tripod.
Room 306: Prehistoric jade art from the Longshan culture (2200–1900 BCE), featuring ceremonial jade discs.

Final Thoughts

The National Palace Museum in Taipei isn’t just another museum—it’s a gateway into over 10,000 years of Chinese civilization. Whether you’re into art, history, or simply want to see world-famous treasures like the Jadeite Cabbage, this museum has something for everyone. Plan your trip wisely, go early, and enjoy the quiet wonder that awaits you inside.