10 Interesting Facts About Palace Museum, Taipei

The National Palace Museum is a located in Taipei, Taiwan. From Neolithic era to the modern age, this museum is rich in Chinese artwork and antique collection. Most of the people would confuse it with the Palace Museum in Beijing. But, both are separated now. Counted as one of the most prestigious museums in Taiwan, the NPM arguably houses the finest collection of Chinese art including the famous jade cabbage, historic statuary, bronzes and religious objects. The museum’s display is completely outstanding. The following are a few interesting facts about the Palace museum that you probably didn’t know.

National Palace Museum
National Palace Museum

image: images.trvl-media.com

1. Never Be Confused

The National Palace Museum and the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City, Beijing are not the same museum. But, anyhow these two have the same roots. These two were once a single museum which split in two as a result of the Chinese Civil War in the country. The National Palace Museum was first built in the Forbidden City but later was moved after the reign of the last emperor of China.
source: famouswonders.com

2. Largest And Finest Chinese Collection

The National Palace Museum in Taipei has one of the finest collections of Chinese art
The National Palace Museum in Taipei has one of the finest collections of Chinese art

The National Palace Museum holds the largest collection of ancient Chinese artifacts in the whole world. The regular change of the 60,000 exhibit pieces occurs once in every three months. This shows that it will take nearly 12 years to see each and everything in this prestigious museum.
source: famouswonders.com, image: traveller.com.au

3. A Southern Branch In Chiai

In 2004, the National Palace Museum began the construction of a southern branch of the museum in Chiai. The branch has now been completely established and is a major crowd puller, both local and international visitors. It is believed that this was done in order to increase Taiwan’s international visibility.
source: international.thenewslens.com

4. Never Miss ‘Jadeite Cabbage’

Southern Branch of Taipei Palace Museum Displays Jadeite Cabbage
Southern Branch of Taipei Palace Museum displays Jadeite Cabbage

Jadeite Cabbage is part of the collection of the National Palace Museum in Taipei. The reason for the popularity of this masterpiece is its significant antiquity and rarity.
source: Wikipedia, image: i.ytimg.com

5. 4000 Years Of Chinese Art

Masterpieces of Chinese Art
Masterpieces of Chinese Art

The National Palace Museum’s collection illustrates more than 4,000 years of Chinese art. Its vintage collection of Chinese paintings is assumed as the finest in the world. The collection includes important masterpieces from the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The NPM also has a collection of other significant things such as the Chinese ritual bronzes, ceramics, jade, lacquerware enamelware, decorative carvings, books, calligraphy, and related documents.
source: britannica.com, image: round-taiwan-round.s3.amazonaws.com

6. “The Three Treasures”

Bronze Cauldron of Duke Mao
Bronze Cauldron of Duke Mao
This artifact from the Qing Dynasty, which resembles a piece of stewed pork
This artifact from the Qing Dynasty, which resembles a piece of stewed pork

Among the most popular items of the museum is a 100 years old jadeite cabbage, a layered stone carved in the shape of a piece of stewed pork, a Chinese delicacy and a bronze cauldron of Duke Mao. Together these three things are known as the museum’s “Three Treasures.”
source: japantimes.co.jp, image: visitourchina.com, image: japantimes.co.jp

7. 2,800 At A Time

The visitors line at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan
The visitor’s line at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan

The number of people visiting the museum has increased exponentially in the past few years. The number has shot up to 4.5 million last year. To avoid huge crowds at the museum and also for security reasons, the National Palace Museum regulates admission, keeping the number of visitors below 2,800 at one time.
source: japantimes.co.jp, image: traveller.com.au

8. Taiwan’s National Digital Archives Program

The National Palace Museum is a fully contemporary museum. It participates in Taiwan’s National Digital Archives Program, by making the use of the latest digital technology to digitally preserve its ancient artifacts and antique things. This is done in order to improve the overall experience of the visitors.
source: guidetotaipei.com

9. Grand Palace Museum Project

This project was officially launched in the year 2011 with a goal to expand the exhibition area in Taipei and improve the environment. The total budget for renovation is estimated to be near about NT$10 to 12 billion.
source: Wikipedia

10. Heaven Of Knowledge

It is a haven for attainable knowledge due to the huge collection of artifacts for archaeologists, historians, connoisseurs and antiquarians as it contains the imperial family’s national treasures. The rotation of the 60,000 exhibit pieces happens once every three months- which means that it will take approximately 12 years to see everything the museum has to offer.
source: famouswonders.com