Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3
Shilin Night Market
C4
Transport
National Palace Museum
MUSEUM
(Gùgōng Bówùyuàn; admission NT$160; 8.30am-6.30pm Sun-Thu, to 9pm Fri & Sat; ;
Shilin)
Home to the world's largest and arguably finest collection of Chinese art, this vast
collection covers treasures in painting, calligraphy, statuary, bronzes, laquerware, ceram-
ics, jade and religious objects. Some of the most popular items, such as the famous jade
cabbage, are always on display but, given the size of the museum's collection, much is
on rotation.
The historical range at this museum is truly outstanding. Even within a single cat-
egory, such as ceramics, pieces range over multiple dynasties, and even back to Neolithic
times.
Level 1
includes rare books, special exhibits, Qing and Ming dynasty furniture, reli-
gious sculptures, and a great orientation gallery to give you an overview of dynasties.
Level 2
includes painting, calligraphy, a history of Chinese ceramics with abundant
examples, and an interactive area with videos and a virtual tour of 20 famous paintings.
Level 3
contains bronzes, weapons and ritual vessels, and Ming and Qing dynasty
carvings. There is also the stunning jade collection, covering weapons, teapots, jewellery,
ritual objects and the jade cabbage.
Level 4
contains the
Sanxitang Teahouse
, which offers tea, dim sum and a good ve-
getarian selection. There's also an eating area in the museum annex with the classy
Silks
Palace
restaurant on the ground level, and the
Taiwanese Food Court
on B1.
The museum offers free
guided tours
in English at 10am and 3pm. If you prefer to
move about at your own pace, there's an English
headphone guide
(NT$100).
An annex at the front of the museum (to the left as you head up the stairs) holds regu-
lar special exhibitions, which cost extra to attend.
